96 Camry does not accelerate immediately when prompted, loss of power. HELP!

[Camry LE 94]

I have a 1996 Camry I4. It started off as a stalling problem, first when I went to pull in someones driveway and back out, the car stalled. The second time it stalled, I was going around a turn at 5-10 mph, foot off the gas.

Now the main problem is when I push the gas pedal, it wont accelerate to its maximum capability right away. And if I put the pedal to the metal, I hear one loud pop, sounding like a backfire. I tried changing the gas filter, but that didn't solve the problem. I used Seafoam in my gas tank to clean the fuel system, but that didn't help.

I'm running out of options here, can anybody help

[hill8570]

Once it gets past the initial hesitation, does she get up and go normally, or is accelleration pretty gutless all the way?

Is the check engine light on? If so, have you checked the code?

[Camry LE 94]

Originally Posted by hill8570

Once it gets past the initial hesitation, does she get up and go normally, or is accelleration pretty gutless all the way?

Is the check engine light on? If so, have you checked the code?

yes she gets up and goes normally after initial hesitation, just like a rocket! lol

and yes the check engine light is on. i brought it to Toyota and it had the code on paper saying the Shift Solenoid. This was before my current problem however. I was guessing the Shift Solenoid has something to do with my car having an abnormally long shift in 1st gear. I brought my car to my mechanic and he said I needed a new computer. Could these 2 problems be related?

[500KCamry]

Rule out fuel, fuel pressure and timing.

Try cleaning the air intake first.

Look at the air filter while the neck is off.

[Camry LE 94]

Originally Posted by 500KCamry

Rule out fuel, fuel pressure and timing.

Try cleaning the air intake first.

Look at the air filter while the neck is off.

The air intake as in the TB?

And im not exactly sure what you mean... What's the neck of the air filter?

[Deadly Sushi]

Originally Posted by Camry LE 94

The air intake as in the TB?

And im not exactly sure what you mean... What's the neck of the air filter?

its where you choke the car. Sorry

Have you had a tuneup recently? Almost sounds like a coil going bad. Are you familiar with them?

[ShotgunCheeks]

Thumbs up people forget the basics.

[Camry LE 94]

Originally Posted by Deadly Sushi

its where you choke the car. Sorry

Have you had a tuneup recently? Almost sounds like a coil going bad. Are you familiar with them?

choke the car lol. im assuming the neck is the tube where the TB connects to the air filter box. i know how to look at the air filter. can someone show me a few pictures of what the drivers side engine bay looks like, in detail so i can match everything up as best as possible?

and no im not familiar with a coil... im gonna look it up. thanks.

[hill8570]

Originally Posted by Camry LE 94

yes she gets up and goes normally after initial hesitation, just like a rocket! lol

and yes the check engine light is on. i brought it to Toyota and it had the code on paper saying the Shift Solenoid. This was before my current problem however. I was guessing the Shift Solenoid has something to do with my car having an abnormally long shift in 1st gear. I brought my car to my mechanic and he said I needed a new computer. Could these 2 problems be related?

Sounds like she's running lean at low throttle. Since she goes OK at higher speeds, I don't think it's a fuel system issue or a problem with the MAP...my first suspect would be unmetered air getting in with the throttle plate closed.

Is the idle rough as a cob? What rpm does she idle at?

I'd inspect the vacuum hoses (diagram should be on the underside of the hood), and look for cracks, holes, or disconnected hoses.

[GA-Guy]

Originally Posted by Camry LE 94

yes she gets up and goes normally after initial hesitation, just like a rocket! lol

and yes the check engine light is on. i brought it to Toyota and it had the code on paper saying the Shift Solenoid. This was before my current problem however. I was guessing the Shift Solenoid has something to do with my car having an abnormally long shift in 1st gear. I brought my car to my mechanic and he said I needed a new computer. Could these 2 problems be related?

Long shift? These Camrys have a big gap between 1st and 2nd. According to the specification sticky, 2nd gear is almost twice as long as first gear (1st=2.810, 2nd=1.549 for AT). Thus, a big drop in RPM should be expected during that first shift. I find it quite iratating, actually, in stop and go traffic.

[Camry LE 94]

Originally Posted by GA-Guy

Long shift? These Camrys have a big gap between 1st and 2nd. According to the specification sticky, 2nd gear is almost twice as long as first gear (1st=2.810, 2nd=1.549 for AT). Thus, a big drop in RPM should be expected during that first shift. I find it quite iratating, actually, in stop and go traffic.

by a long shift i mean the rpms skyrocket if you hold the gas down more than just a pinch, and the car jerks once it shifts into 1st. if you just barely push the gas pedal down, it wont jerk and it will shift without taking 3 or 4 seconds.

another thing that has me stumped is on the top of the transmission. right below the air filter and fuel filter, theres a plug that isn't connected to anything. it's got 2 green, 4" long wires which are connected to each other. i couldnt seem to find where it plugs into, if it even does because it's so short.

[Camry LE 94]

Originally Posted by hill8570

Sounds like she's running lean at low throttle. Since she goes OK at higher speeds, I don't think it's a fuel system issue or a problem with the MAP...my first suspect would be unmetered air getting in with the throttle plate closed.

Is the idle rough as a cob? What rpm does she idle at?

I'd inspect the vacuum hoses (diagram should be on the underside of the hood), and look for cracks, holes, or disconnected hoses.

the idle when decelerating to 10mph or below can be very rough, but is intermittent and doesn't happen every time i slow down. and i believe she idles at normal rpms. where can i purchase replacement hoses? a couple are cracked at the ends, but still hold.