Used car buyer, asking questions (1MZ-FE)

[LoeBP]

I'm wanting to purchase a 1994 Toyota Camry XLE-V6

Emerald Green, Tan leather, Full options, beautiful car to drive in winter so I can park my M3

Issues: Knock sensor (owner claims), ABS light, and Odo is stuck at 146,000 miles. Price ummm $1,500 o/b/o so I'm not concerned about the Odometer at all

My main concerned is the Knock sensor. It was down on power, even for a car with 188hp, it felt worse in acceleration even compared to my moms 5S-FE camry. If you listen carefully, you can hear a slight tick as well, very slight though. Engine revs smoothly but it feels weighed down. You can feel a constant thruming at idle, Ex. it's lumpy but constant so on cylinder or two is pinging all the time. Unfortunately I didn't have a code reader.

Is a 1994 Camry ODB-II?

I understand that I must remove the intake manifold to locate the knock sensor. Does this require any special tools beyond basic sockets, screwdrivers, pliers? I'm sure I would need 2 knock sensors and various Intake Manifold gaskets and maybe new knock sensor harnesses just to be on the safe side. Can anyone with personal DIY experience give me any insite or recommendations before I tackle this?

Does anyone know how I can disconnect the harness to the knock sensors to make sure full power comes back just to test the knock sensors without removing the intake manifold? Where does the harness run out to from the manifold?

Should I move on to another car? This will strickly be a daily/winter car used only for this season and sold next spring for dirt cheap.

[Kingdom934]

Hows the overall condition of the car? ABS light on could be several things. Sensor to even an wheel bearing could be failing.

$1,500 is a bit steep for that kind of issues IMO. Maybe for a $1000 it'll be worth it. Check the engine for sludge (under oil cap) and also check trans color. Since you'll be using it for the winter, I'd check the CV boots on the camry since the winter weather would make a 'just torn' boot and destory the CV joint like no tomorrow.

[CJCride]

Originally Posted by LoeBP

I'm wanting to purchase a 1994 Toyota Camry XLE-V6

Emerald Green, Tan leather, Full options, beautiful car to drive in winter so I can park my M3

Issues: Knock sensor (owner claims), ABS light, and Odo is stuck at 146,000 miles. Price ummm $1,500 o/b/o so I'm not concerned about the Odometer at all

My main concerned is the Knock sensor. It was down on power, even for a car with 188hp, it felt worse in acceleration even compared to my moms 5S-FE camry. If you listen carefully, you can hear a slight tick as well, very slight though. Engine revs smoothly but it feels weighed down. You can feel a constant thruming at idle, Ex. it's lumpy but constant so on cylinder or two is pinging all the time. Unfortunately I didn't have a code reader.

Is a 1994 Camry ODB-II?

I understand that I must remove the intake manifold to locate the knock sensor. Does this require any special tools beyond basic sockets, screwdrivers, pliers? I'm sure I would need 2 knock sensors and various Intake Manifold gaskets and maybe new knock sensor harnesses just to be on the safe side. Can anyone with personal DIY experience give me any insite or recommendations before I tackle this?

Does anyone know how I can disconnect the harness to the knock sensors to make sure full power comes back just to test the knock sensors without removing the intake manifold? Where does the harness run out to from the manifold?

Should I move on to another car? This will strickly be a daily/winter car used only for this season and sold next spring for dirt cheap.

He will not get $1500US for it. Let him sit with it for a while and then offer 900. maybe settle at 1000. like the previous post says it has too many issues.
Your wisest move was to enter this site.

[LoeBP]

Originally Posted by Kingdom934

Hows the overall condition of the car? ABS light on could be several things. Sensor to even an wheel bearing could be failing.

$1,500 is a bit steep for that kind of issues IMO. Maybe for a $1000 it'll be worth it. Check the engine for sludge (under oil cap) and also check trans color. Since you'll be using it for the winter, I'd check the CV boots on the camry since the winter weather would make a 'just torn' boot and destory the CV joint like no tomorrow.

Thanks for the advice, I will check on the engine sludge and CV boot.

The overall condition of the vehicle is outstanding considering the age of it. It drives fine, shocks didn't feel worn, brakes were strong aside from ABS not functioning, steering wasn't loose and felt fine. Overall, the vehicle would be an 8 out of a 10

[LoeBP]

Originally Posted by CJCride

He will not get $1500US for it. Let him sit with it for a while and then offer 900. maybe settle at 1000. like the previous post says it has too many issues.
Your wisest move was to enter this site.

Thank you for the advice on negociation price

[Eye8Pussies]

sounds like a good find to use as a winter car, though, personally, for winter, I'd say it may be worth it to fix the abs- probably just a broken sensor or torn abs wire from a shoddy brake or suspension job


as for your question about how to change the knock sensor, do a quick search and you'll find all the info about what you'd need to do it and what you should replace while you're in there

[LoeBP]

It'll mainly be used locally (in-town treking). Dedicated QR-rated snow tires will be used.

Oh yes, I searched last night before becoming a member, Lots of information, hard to sort through lol.

[LoeBP]

I think i'm going to pass on this one. I saw 3 more on craigslist private sale for under $1,500, older 92-93 models with the 3VZ-FE engines. Higher miles, but then again, this one I looked at had its odo stuck at 146K so who knows what it had lol. Winter car, here I come!

[Gibson99]

btw - the 94 camry v6 IS obd-ii! the plug is located behind the little coin box thing by your left knee. you have to remove the box to get to it, but it's there. the 94 camry v6 was the first car in the US to be obd-ii compliant.