camry will not start

[npostma1]

I have a 1994 Camry 4 cylinder with California Emissions. This morning it would not start, prior to this it showed no signs of anything being wrong. engine would turn over so I have ruled out the battery, alternator and starter already. It was an extremely humid day, probably the most humid the car has ever seen (if that makes a difference, I heard it might). My thoughts are that it may need a new distributor cap, rotor, or distributor seeing how it would not start at all.

I am also thinking that it might be a problem with the fuel pump.

Does anyone have suggestions for safe checks for these before replace them and find out that was not the problem?

Additionally I did some reading about replacing the fuel pump and it sounds pretty complicated, would it be something I could do on my own. I am not a mechanic but have replaced many parts on the vehicle previously.

[chronoti]

Originally Posted by npostma1

I have a 1994 Camry 4 cylinder with California Emissions....t may need a new distributor cap, rotor, or distributor seeing how it would not start at all.

you dont have any of that with that year diso less ignition, you do have 2 coil packs that can be replaced and should be disconnected and checked against ground

Originally Posted by npostma1

I am also thinking that it might be a problem with the fuel pump.

Does anyone have suggestions for safe checks for these before replace them and find out that was not the problem?

Additionally I did some reading about replacing the fuel pump and it sounds pretty complicated, would it be something I could do on my own. I am not a mechanic but have replaced many parts on the vehicle previously.

fuel pump is easy, just pop up the back seat and you see the access panel, only real special tool you might need is some boxend wrenches to make sure you might not strip the bolt, if you suspect fuel go for the fuel pump 1st, also the car doesnt turn the pump on with the key the ecu will engage the pump with then engine turns over

[Mike Gerber]

First determine if you are geting spark and fuel. Pull any spark plug wire and remove that spark plug. Then reinsert the plug back in to the spark plug wire. Now ground the plug against the block and have someone crank the engine while you observe that plug for spark. You should see a bright blue spark, not orange. Orange indicates a weak spark. To check to see if the car is getting fuel, get some spray carb cleaner and then remove the big tube leading to the throttle body. Spray a couple of good squirts of the carb cleaner in to the throttle body and then reinstall the big tube. Now try to crank the engine. If the car now sputters where it didn't before or evern runs for a second, you have determinded you have a fuel delivery problem.

You may also want to check for a broken timing belt. Pull the distributor cap off and then have someone crank the engine while you observe the distributor rotor. If the rotor is turning, the belt is still intact. If the rotor doesn't turn you have a broken timing belt.

Mike

[chronoti]

Originally Posted by Mike Gerber

You may also want to check for a broken timing belt. Pull the distributor cap off and then have someone crank the engine while you observe the distributor rotor. If the rotor is turning, the belt is still intact. If the rotor doesn't turn you have a broken timing belt.

Mike

no disto! where a broken t-belt can cause a no spark issue, try to remove the belt cover to check the t-belt

[fenixus]

'94-96 5s-fe had no distributors? I always thought all gen3 had them...

[Mike Gerber]

Chronoti,

^ I have to agree with fenixus. I think all generation 3 Camrys used distributors, unless the California spec cars didn't. I still think the California spec cars also used distributors, since when I ordered a distributor cap and rotor for my 94 4 cylinder 5SFE engine (federal emmisions) from one of the online Toyota dealers, I received a California spec rotor by mistake. Are you thinking of generation 4 Camrys?

Mike