3rd & 4th Generation (1992–1996 & 1997–2001)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 1992-1996 & 1997-2001
Topics of discussion range from fuel economy, safety, modifications, performance all involving America's favorite family car, the Toyota Camry.
Recently did the timing belt on my 1994 Camry 5SFE (173k).
After it all went back together I've had an interesting cold start issue. If I leave the car overnight or for a day or so the car will not start on the first try. I'll turn the key, it will try to start, the lights on the dash will go completely, then the car will stumble a little and then nada.
Turn the car off, then to start, the car fires right up.
It's not a battery issue - I don't think - because the car wouldn't then start up a second time. When I've run the car and stopped for minutes, even hours, the car starts fine first time.
Went to dinner last night for maybe three hours or so, car fired right up. Outside temperature was almost freezing so I don't think its an ambient temperature issue.
I'm really at a loss as to how to troubleshoot this. I know my plugs, wires and rotor cap need replacing soon and I have a slight miss because of this, but I don't see why that would cause a problem. I haven't yet checked for a code but I have no CEL.
Air filter needs replacing eventually too but it's not too bad. Fuel filter is of unknown quantity right now - I don't know when it was last replaced. I sprayed the TB and IAC valve with TB cleaner a few weeks back (and my idle has been around 1000rpm or so since). Aside from the Timing belt change I've done very little to the car - i've had to do very little.
Any ideas guys?
David.
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Mostly blue 1994 Toyota Camry LE. 5SFE ftw.
Recently did the timing belt on my 1994 Camry 5SFE (173k).
After it all went back together I've had an interesting cold start issue. If I leave the car overnight or for a day or so the car will not start on the first try. I'll turn the key, it will try to start, the lights on the dash will go completely, then the car will stumble a little and then nada.
Turn the car off, then to start, the car fires right up.
It's not a battery issue - I don't think - because the car wouldn't then start up a second time. When I've run the car and stopped for minutes, even hours, the car starts fine first time.
Went to dinner last night for maybe three hours or so, car fired right up. Outside temperature was almost freezing so I don't think its an ambient temperature issue.
I'm really at a loss as to how to troubleshoot this. I know my plugs, wires and rotor cap need replacing soon and I have a slight miss because of this, but I don't see why that would cause a problem. I haven't yet checked for a code but I have no CEL.
Air filter needs replacing eventually too but it's not too bad. Fuel filter is of unknown quantity right now - I don't know when it was last replaced. I sprayed the TB and IAC valve with TB cleaner a few weeks back (and my idle has been around 1000rpm or so since). Aside from the Timing belt change I've done very little to the car - i've had to do very little.
Any ideas guys?
David.
how does it drive? how is the power? same as before the belt?
im thinking maybe the belt is off a tooth...
It seems to drive fine... it doesn't seem like its lost any power and it doesnt run roughly.
Would one tooth off make a huge difference? I spent nearly 8 hours getting it lined up (using the correct marks on the cam sprocket and the marks on the crank pulley) and the tension was set right.
I actually haven't got the timing light out yet (keep forgetting) to check but I suppose that should be on my list of things to do.
But it wouldn't explain the weird starting issue... ? Would it? I'm in the dark here. LOL
THanks for the reply.
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Mostly blue 1994 Toyota Camry LE. 5SFE ftw.
It seems to drive fine... it doesn't seem like its lost any power and it doesnt run roughly.
Would one tooth off make a huge difference? I spent nearly 8 hours getting it lined up (using the correct marks on the cam sprocket and the marks on the crank pulley) and the tension was set right.
I actually haven't got the timing light out yet (keep forgetting) to check but I suppose that should be on my list of things to do.
But it wouldn't explain the weird starting issue... ? Would it? I'm in the dark here. LOL
THanks for the reply.
the ecu may correct/adjust the ignition timing after the first attempt. and possibly after sitting long enough it reverts back to stock/default settings.
ive seen it before. usually you'll see a difference in how it drives, but not always.
disconnecting the battery for 30 seconds to reset the ecu should provide the same results as letting the car sit overnight. assuming that is the issue.
the ecu may correct/adjust the ignition timing after the first attempt. and possibly after sitting long enough it reverts back to stock/default settings.
ive seen it before. usually you'll see a difference in how it drives, but not always.
disconnecting the battery for 30 seconds to reset the ecu should provide the same results as letting the car sit overnight. assuming that is the issue.
Hmm. I'll pull the ECU fuse, should be easier.
Thanks I'll give that a try and let you know. Dang it.
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Mostly blue 1994 Toyota Camry LE. 5SFE ftw.
Yes. 100%. Went out tonight. Started the car first time this afternoon. Did the same stumble.
Went to the bank, came home. Left the car for around two hours, car started fine. Drove for around 7 miles, turned the car off, left it for around 30 minutes, did lots of short journeys. No problems at all.
Didn't get chance to check pulling the EFI yet. The car is now idling at 700/750 or so which is around the correct idle. <shrug>
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Mostly blue 1994 Toyota Camry LE. 5SFE ftw.
This is not a timing/ECU issue. From your description, more likely the fuel pressure is draining back overnight and it's taking a second or two to re-establish full pressure. Try turning the key to run, which will activate the fuel pump, then wait several seconds before turning the key to start.
If above does not work another possible is sticking IAC where it will not open on first attempt. Just depress the gas pedal very slightly upon starting and see if it does better.
I'm assuming you get full fast idle on cold start when it does start?
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1995 Camry Wagon LE. 2.2 4cyl, 5S-FE, Auto, 187K
This is not a timing/ECU issue. From your description, more likely the fuel pressure is draining back overnight and it's taking a second or two to re-establish full pressure. Try turning the key to run, which will activate the fuel pump, then wait several seconds before turning the key to start.
If above does not work another possible is sticking IAC where it will not open on first attempt. Just depress the gas pedal very slightly upon starting and see if it does better.
I'm assuming you get full fast idle on cold start when it does start?
I get full fast idle on a cold start. Around 1000rpm or so.
It eventually (when the engine is hot) will drop to 700 or so (then when I engage reverse with the brake on it will feel like it wants to stall but that's another issue I guess).
I have previously cleaned the IAC/TB (i squirted a load of cleaner down the IAC port) and also cleaned the butterfly valve and inside of the TB as much as I could. I'd hope it isn't the issue but if it is it seems easier to fix than a fuel pump issue.
Could it be a bad fuel pump in that case?
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Mostly blue 1994 Toyota Camry LE. 5SFE ftw.
The check valve is in the pump, so it would require replacing the pump to repair. It's a 94 after all with 173K, maybe a good time for preventative maintenance. Do the test first to narrow it down. You can also do a pressure test to see if pump is able to put out full pressure, and/or see any leak down of pressure when the engine is off.
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1995 Camry Wagon LE. 2.2 4cyl, 5S-FE, Auto, 187K
Have you cleaned your throttle body recently? Sounds like what I encounter when the butterfly valve becomes stuck from the muck, mainly from the PCV. If your car is like mine, it will be hard to start when cold, easy when warm, then hard to start regardless unless you press the gas, to not starting at all.
I left the ignition on for around 20/30 seconds tonight and while it tried to stumble and not start, it did. This is with the car sitting all day and not started.
Had another issue though. I think my Neutral safety switch is on the blink. Car wouldn't start when I turned it off earlier unless I jiggled the shifter.
Something else to add to the list of things to fix.
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Mostly blue 1994 Toyota Camry LE. 5SFE ftw.
Would not turn over or turned over but not start? Try neutral instead of park.
You might try to adjust it first.
Sorry let me correct my God awful English:
It tried to do it's usual "stumble and fail to start" but instead it started right up.
An improvement.
When I turned the car off in the drive thru lane I left it in Neutral. Turned the key to off and then to start and nothing happened. No click, no nothing. Shifted to park, tried to start, nothing happened, no click nothing. Pushed in the foot brake and jiggled the shifter and she started up.
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Mostly blue 1994 Toyota Camry LE. 5SFE ftw.
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94 Camry 4 cyl strange cold start problem
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