EFI Relay clicking

[camryowner_98]

I have a 98 camry V6 with an EFI relay problem. With the car shut off, key out of the ignition, the EFI relay will start clicking (very fast).

Strangely, if I unlock the doors using the remote, the relay will stop clicking. But, ~30 seconds after I unlock the door, the doors will automatically lock and the relay will start clicking again.

Does anyone have any idea what the problem might be? Is there a way to deactivate the auto locking feature?

[dc_98_cam]

Apparently you have the Engine Immobilizer System.

There is a Transponder Key Amplifier under the dash, that receives a signal from the remote key pad, and then sends a signal to the Engine Control Module, which then turns on the EFI Relay.

Maybe the Amplifier is defective and sending an unrequested, continuous signal to the ECM.

You could remove the TKA, clean the socket and plug with electronic contact cleaner .... See if there was any improvement. .... Maybe the problem is simply humidity, moisture, smoke, or dust accumulating on the connector pins.

The TKA should be located someplace behind the glove box .... You might have to download the appropriate wiring diagram to get a better idea of how to get to it.

Are you sure that your remote key pad is not accidentally turning on? ....
Maybe you could remove the battery while you hear the EFI clicking noise, just to be sure ... not very likely though.
Do you have a spare remote key pad? Does the EFI clicking occur with the spare key?

[camryowner_98]

I don't think its the key pad itself because the key pad can be in a different vicinity and the EFI relay will still click. I will try and find the TKA and clean the contacts. Thanks for the tip.

[dc_98_cam]

If you locate the TKA part, take a look at the wiring between the TKA and the ECM.

Sometimes there is a problem with wires inadvertently rubbing against other parts ... shorting or grounding out ... particularly cars with lots of miles on them.

[camryowner_98]

Do you know what the TKA looks like? I did find one box near the steering column. I unpulled the box but the relay continued to click. This might be the TKA but I'm unsure. Behind the glove box I found a number of different boxes. One was clearly labeled engine control. I started to unplug cables from these boxes to determine if I could make the clicking stop. There was only one cable I found that was connected to the ECU that shut off the clicking.

[dc_98_cam]

The Transponder Key Amplifier should have three wires ... going over to the Engine Control Module:
... green with white stripe
... red with blue stripe
... blue with yellow stripe

The service manual location diagram shows the TKA to be to the right of the steering column, and also to the left of the center console, at approximately the same height or level as the radio or A/C control.

The diagram also appears to show that the TKA is one of 5 'boxes' or units emanating from a single cable harness ... left of the central console someplace, behind the dash panel. ... Really not sure how to get to it though.

I would take one more look in the area just to the right of the steering column ... sorry, can't be more specific.

Sometimes it is helpful to search the forum for key words ... most of this has been done before.

[camryowner_98]

When you say, to the right of the steering column, are you looking at the steering wheel towards the front of the car?

[dc_98_cam]

Yes ... as if you were sitting in the driver's seat.