95 Camry problem starting

[jmf8241]

Hi all,

I have a question regarding my 95 Camry. Lately, it has been having problems starting when I turn the key. It occasionally stalls out, but eventually turns on after as many as five or six tries. However, today the car started when I turned the key, but when I let go and it returned to the rest position it started to stall repeatedly. It would stall and then try and start without my touching the key. When I took the key out, the car continued to try to start by itself. After about fifteen minutes of trying to start and stop the vehicle I was eventually able to get it to turn off. During this time I started to see some smoke. My roommate showed up with a wrench so I could disconnect the battery if necessary and tried again. The car started like normal on my first try and I was able to drive it home. I've gotten advice that this is probably a problem with my lock cylinder, and that the ignition switch is getting stuck in the one position. I plan on replacing this if possible, but was curious as to whether anyone else has had a similar issue or some advice.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

[Mister_Perkins]

Originally Posted by jmf8241

It would stall and then try and start without my touching the key. When I took the key out, the car continued to try to start by itself.

is the vehicle equipped with an aftermarket remote start system?

=====

Originally Posted by jmf8241

During this time I started to see some smoke. My roommate showed up with a wrench so I could disconnect the battery if necessary and tried again. The car started like normal on my first try and I was able to drive it home. I've gotten advice that this is probably a problem with my lock cylinder, and that the ignition switch is getting stuck in the one position. I plan on replacing this if possible, but was curious as to whether anyone else has had a similar issue or some advice.

Sounds like you have carbon deposits in your emissions system (EGR / IAC / Throttle Body) as far as it stalling.. Could be an issue with your starting system as well.

You may want to refer to the stickies on DIY ::

1. Clean IAC
2. Clean EGR
3. Purchase a can of SEA Foam from your parts store and clean your intake system
4. Check your MAP Sensor for proper voltage / Vacuum (Check wiring also)
5. Check your entire vacuum system for vacuum leaks


References:

IAC Removal / Cleaning
5sfe IAC Removal (lots of pictures)

EGR
EGR Valve Replacement, DIY.



Try those two DIY and if the problem re-occurs still, check back.

[jmf8241]

Thanks for the advice. Unfortunately some other things came up this weekend and I didn't really get to do much so hopefully I can try these this week-end.

[Mister_Perkins]

Originally Posted by Mister_Perkins

is the vehicle equipped with an aftermarket remote start system?

[redtigerrocks]

It could be a starter issue. Be specific as to what "stalls out" means. Does it click repeatedly?

[jmf8241]

Yup, I do have an aftermarket starter on it.

By stall out I meant it would click once or twice and then stop until I tried to turn the key again, except for one time last week when it ran by itself for about fifteen minutes.

As MisterPerkins asked I do have a remote starter and I think I tried to use it to start the vehicle the one time it wouldn't turn off. Don't know why I didn't think of that earlier, but it didn't respond to the starter when it was trying to start without the key in. Maybe it got into some sort of loop condition that ignored additional input until the vehicle was able to start?

Anyways, earlier this week I went to start it and had no battery. The engine wouldn't even try to start, my lights wouldn't turn on, and my power-locks didn't work either. I got it jumped and let it run for about 30 an hour and it's run with pretty much no issue the last couple of days. I'm hoping to get it home over Thanksgiving week-end so I can have my father or family mechanic look at it.

Thanks again for all your help everyone! Sorry for the delays in between my posts.