1993 camry le won't start - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

jklckeller · 01-25-2010, 04:44 PM

My daughter has a 1993 camry le. It has had some acceleration issues on and off over the past month ie, you push the gas pedal but it doesn't accelerate, but when you let off the pedal and then press is again it would go just fine. Yesterday, she went to start the car and it would not start. It makes a noise but won't turn over. The noise is the starter motor. We've been working on it and so far we know it is NOT the starter, the fuel pump, the timing belt, or the battery. Someone has suggested the distributor or the rotor is bad. Any other suggestions?? Does it sound possible that the distributor or rotor could be bad? Help please. Thanks.

hill8570 · 01-25-2010, 04:59 PM

Um, it doesn't turn over, or just doesn't try to fire up? Two separate sorts of problems...

hill8570 · 01-25-2010, 05:08 PM

Oh, and assuming that it actually is turning over but not firing, have you pulled a spark plug (or used a test spark plug) and checked for spark? If you're getting a big, blue spark that rules out a lot of stuff.

jklckeller · 01-25-2010, 05:18 PM

it is turning over, not firing. the only sound it makes is the starter motor. It will run as long as the key is turned, but nothing else happens.

Chris Crash · 01-25-2010, 05:26 PM

Like he said, check for spark. Just ground the spark plug wire and look for a big blue spark.

When was the last time you did maintenance i.e. plugs, wires, cap, rotor, etc?

If it's been a while, go ahead and do it. That might fix your problem anyway.

jklckeller · 01-25-2010, 05:31 PM

the spark plugs, about a year. She had a used engine put in it about a year ago. It was put in by a friend in our garage. He says he didn't replace the distributor or rotor when he put the engine in. Wires?? i don't have a clue.

Chris Crash · 01-25-2010, 05:44 PM

Go ahead and replace it all, even if it doesn't solve the problem, it was probably time for it anyway.

rusty9 · 01-25-2010, 06:55 PM

dont start throwing money at parts you might not need. search the forums, check if you have fuel, check if you have spark. then we can get somewhere.

happy420 · 01-29-2010, 09:40 AM

Once you check if you have both fuel and spark, check the MAF sensor. I have a camry that we replaced the motor in and we could crank it all day long and it would almost catch but not quite. once the MAF was in it started right up.

AlmightyCamry777 · 01-29-2010, 11:27 AM

Here are some possibilities in order of the things i would try first (cheapest things first)

1. Clean inside the throttle body, and the butterfly valve. Intermittent t hrottle operation might mean the butterfly is sticking inside the plenum.

2. Clean also the idle air control valve. The (IAC valve), if fitted, could be dirty too and you can clean that at the same time as you clean the TB and butterfly (hose it down through the hole in the plenum). (The IAC would of course, only affect idling and starting, usually not warm engine driving).

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/t158097.html

3. Possibly worn distributor cap, rotor, or plug wires need changing. You can test the resistance of the plug wires with a VOM before spending your money, usually you can easily check inside the cap and rotor and if they are worn out it is obvious to the naked eye.

4. Clogged fuel filter? When did it last geet changed? Same for the air filter. (If you can see sunlight through the air filter, usually it is ok, if any doubt, i just change it.)

Judge2 · 01-29-2010, 10:59 PM

Listen to the advice of checking if you have spark before you do a bunch of other things. If you do, then check that you have fuel. Ask here if you need help on checking if there is fuel. Some people approach it differently.

AlmightyCamry777 · 01-30-2010, 11:11 AM

I forgot one thing to check, and it is not common but it does happen. If you exhaust all other possibilities, check the timing belt to make sure it has not jumped time. If the belt is worn (no guaranty they ever bothered to chang the timing belt on the used engine) or the t-belt tensioner is worn, its possible the engine could have jumped time. A long shot i know but still possible.

To check for this oddball problem, you'd take off the belt covers (and all the parts in the way to get them off) and make sure the marks on the pullies and engine align (forget about any marks on the belt, they're probably already worn away and not relevant.)

i know you're sure it isn't the timing belt, but just because the t-belt is intact does not mean all the marks are aligned. Like i said though, i'd check this possibility after everything else.