1995 Camry 2,2 4 cylinder, 199,600 miles

[tadman95]

I'll say upfront I am not a mechanic but can say I am decent at figuring things out. I've searched thru the forums but can't seem to find the situation I have:

Having driven the car a few miles and parked it, when I went to start it a few hours later, it would turn over but not start, After several attempts and waiting a few minutes, it fired and ran fine. A couple of days later with no further problems, it wouldn't start again first thing in the morning. Again several attempts and a longer wait, it fired, ran fine.

The problem became more frequent, taking longer each time to start. There didn't seem to a pattern, hot or cold, long or short drive, the problem got worse to the point it finally wouldn't start at all.

I checked the spark at the plugs, no spark. Checked the cylinders, no gas after trying to start. Checked the fuses in the engine compartment, everything looked fine

That's the extent of my skills. After a few weeks, I tried again yesterday, no spark, no fuel at the plugs. Went thru the fuses again under the hood, again everything appeared fine.

Then went to the fuse panel under driver's side dash. Pulled the 7.5 ignition fuse. Forgot to turn off the key, when I put the fuse back in, I could hear a relay in the engine compartment clicking, thought I may have screwed up.

Turned the key, engine fired right up, ran perfectly. Had someone touch the relays when I repeated pulling the 7.5 fuse, verified it was the EFI relay.

This morning, attempted to start the car again, no start, engine turns over. Pulled the 7.5 fuse again, hear the clicking, engine fires right up.

Any suggestions? Can't afford a mechanic to diagnose what could be any number of problems.

At least need to keep it running long enough to use up the full tank of gas! LOL

[Mike Gerber]

I would suspect that EFI relay. As a free test, see if you have another identical relay to some non-critical part and swap them with each other. Try the car for a few days that way and see if the problem goes away.

Mike

[tadman95]

Well, I switched out the EFI relay with another one, same results. The car won't start unless I pull out and re-seat the 7.5a IGN fuse while the ignition is turned on. When I do this it will start immediately.

I'm stumped. Any other ideas?

Thanks

[Stillrunning]

There is also a Circuit Opening Relay (COR) that is powered from the EFI Main Relay and which is needed to turn on the fuel pump and activate the ECU. If this relay is not operating you will not get fuel pump or spark. It is located in the dash above the glove box and will require the glove box be removed to get access. It appears to be the center of three relays also in that location.

As to why unplugging and plugging the 7.5amp fuse activates the system I can not explain, but you do need both the EFI relay AND the COR to get the car to start and run.

Not sure if this will help or not.

[tadman95]

I'll check that and see what I get.

Looking at the Owner's Manual, it shows a U.S. model and a Canadian model and based on the schematics this car matches the Canadian model. Interesting since this car was purchased new in North Carolina. Don't think that matters, just interesting I thought.