2002 Camry - poor idle - tips? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

iAMconfused · 10-12-2006, 04:13 AM

ok, i can't figure this out. before i get to the problem, i'll give a quick summary of the car:

2002 Camry XLE
93,xxx miles
last major service at 50,000 miles
regular interval oil changes
changed spark plugs + battery at 90,000 miles

it's been happening for a while, but it's just getting on my last nerves. what happens is the car would idle VERY VERY low, like 300rpms. if i don't turn on the a/c, the car has a chance of dying, although it never really dies because the rpm would surge up a bit only to fall back down. however, when i turn on the a/c, the RPM (most of the time) surges up and stays up. i assume the a/c would keep the car running normally because it requires more power drained from the engine anyway. it's a mickey mouse trick, but it's a costly one since it takes away my mileage. moreover, if i reset the ECU, the car simply dies after starting it up (usually). if i want to keep it running, i have to turn on the a/c as soon as the car starts. then usually after that the rpm goes up and stays up like the previous scenario. the car fails to remain running after starting up unless i've driven it for a few tens of miles (for the ECU to learn i guess?). i've already changed the battery, the spark plugs, and air filter. what else could i inspect and do maintenance on to find the problem?

white3ch0c0late · 10-12-2006, 01:13 PM

Clean your throttle body with carb cleaner, and do a seafoam treatment through the brake booster line. Could solve the issue.

marc780 · 11-01-2006, 04:57 AM

Yeah what white chocolate said. Your engine is a 4 or V6??. If its a V6, i have your car, and i have had this problem, if so it could just be your throttle position sensor needs adjusting; if its the 4 you have, clean the Idle air control valve. Do a search for posts on this topic, there are many here.

johnnyzee · 11-01-2006, 07:17 AM

u guys are right, clean the throttle body. the idle control valve gets gunked up and needs to be cleaned. if you want the lazy way out, adjust the idle screw and lift the idle 100-200rpm. i dont believe the actual TPS (throttle position sensor) is adjustable but i think u were referring to the idle screw.

marc780 · 11-11-2006, 09:45 AM

i

Quote:

dont believe the actual TPS (throttle position sensor) is adjustable but i think u were referring to the idle screw.

Ah young grasshopper - but it IS adjustable. You loosen the two screws that hold the throttle sensor on and rotate it one way or the other. And idle changes. It is the blurry thing shown by arrow in the image, a horshoe shaped plastic sensor mounted on side of throttle body assembly.

There is no idle screw as such - at least not on mine 2002 V6. Toyota or EPA or somebody don't want you messing with it so they just left it off when they designed the car. Neato huh?