'94 Camry LE V6 - The Phantom Menace

[Artman0772]

About a year ago, my 1994 Camry LE V6 started doing something very strange. In the middle of driving, it would die, and would not re-crank. Engine would turn over, but no amount of extra throttle would help Driving down the interstate or sitting at a red light, didn't matter. What I noticed that was especially odd about this problem is that once the car would sit for a while, it crank up again and go. The amount of time it would sit idle after dying seemed to be directly proportional to how long it would run before dying later on.

Several things have been replaced on this car over the past 12 months; timing belt, water pump, spark plugs, fuel filter, fuel pump (used), EGR valve (used). Throttle body has been cleaned out. Even when the car is running, I am still experiencing a loss of power, especially up hill. No place I have taken it to seems to be able to diagnose or repair the problem all together. Sometimes it will go a month, sometimes a week, but if I drive it regularly (about a 20 mile commute each way during the week) the problem eventually returns.

Any ideas? I am sure there are details I am forgetting to leave out, but of course I'll answer any questions needed for clarification. I'm new to the board and would greatly appreciate any help you all can offer. Thanks.

[Mister_Perkins]

have they checked the fuel pressure regulator? Fuel Pressure? Coil? Computer?

[Artman0772]

Originally Posted by Mister_Perkins

have they checked the fuel pressure regulator? Fuel Pressure? Coil? Computer?

The car has had diagnostics run on it, and nothing has come up about those issues. This model has individual coil packs, and not a single ignition coil. I had it serviced back in February and that guy told me it he did pull a code that (and these were his words, very vague) indicated it could be the crankshaft position sensor. But this was also when I was having a leaking water pump replaced, and they thought the crankshaft position sensor error could have been due to it being dosed with antifreeze. The very latest time I had it serviced (February), no diagnostic codes came up.

Could low fuel pressure be something that goes away and comes back?

[Mister_Perkins]

more than likely not so..

A faulty CKPS or CPS could cause it to randomly shut off. More so the Crank side.

He should have used an oscilloscope to watch the waveforms on the sensor wiring. Do you remember him checking that?

Next time it shuts down, bring some tools to remove the spark plugs, and bring a can of starting fluid.

Check the spark, and also spray some ether into the intake and see if it starts. If it does, whatever you just checked is the problem

[Artman0772]

Originally Posted by Mister_Perkins

more than likely not so..

A faulty CKPS or CPS could cause it to randomly shut off. More so the Crank side.

He should have used an oscilloscope to watch the waveforms on the sensor wiring. Do you remember him checking that?

Next time it shuts down, bring some tools to remove the spark plugs, and bring a can of starting fluid.

Check the spark, and also spray some ether into the intake and see if it starts. If it does, whatever you just checked is the problem

Does it matter which spark plug I try this on? The back three are very difficult to get to, requiring the removal of the entire intake plenum. And no, I feel pretty certain that the waveforms on the sensor wiring were not checked at all.

[Mister_Perkins]

Originally Posted by Artman0772

Does it matter which spark plug I try this on? The back three are very difficult to get to, requiring the removal of the entire intake plenum. And no, I feel pretty certain that the waveforms on the sensor wiring were not checked at all.

No, you only need 1 spark plug removed to check spark.

You are just confirming while its cranking or running, it has a spark. If it starts up while you are cranking it, just shut the car down right away