5th & 6th Generation (2002-2006 & 2007-2011)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 2002-2006 & 2007-2011
Topics of discussion range from fuel economy, safety, modifications, performance all involving America's favorite family car, the Toyota Camry.
For the past week, it has taken longer to start. It's almost as though the starter needs to turn it over 6 to 8 times, sometimes more, to get it to start. Once it starts, it is no problem, and once it has been started, run for a bit or used, then turned off, it can be started without any problems and without the need for it to continuously turn over.
While it has gotten colder here in Canada, I have had no problems starting the car at -20 and colder. Lately it has only been -5 and for the past week, it has had problems.
Tonight, I went out, and it did the same thing - I did smell some gas this time.
When I go to start it, I always turn the key, wait a few seconds, and then try to start it. I get no warning lights or beeps.
What could be the problem(s)?
Thank you all in advance - I appreciate any info you can give me on this.
P.S. I brought it to the dealer and they told me to make an appointment so they could hook up their computer to it. I am trying to schedule one so it doesn't conflict with work. But before I bring it in, it would be nice to know what it could possibly be.
I had the air filter changed at the last oil change (4000km's ago), so it should still be clean.
Did you want me to check it anyway?
Question - if the air filter was clogged, wouldn't I noticed sluggish performance not only on initial start-up, but also throughout the regular use of the car?
For the past week, it has taken longer to start. It's almost as though the starter needs to turn it over 6 to 8 times, sometimes more, to get it to start. Once it starts, it is no problem, and once it has been started, run for a bit or used, then turned off, it can be started without any problems and without the need for it to continuously turn over.
While it has gotten colder here in Canada, I have had no problems starting the car at -20 and colder. Lately it has only been -5 and for the past week, it has had problems.
Tonight, I went out, and it did the same thing - I did smell some gas this time.
When I go to start it, I always turn the key, wait a few seconds, and then try to start it. I get no warning lights or beeps.
What could be the problem(s)?
Thank you all in advance - I appreciate any info you can give me on this.
P.S. I brought it to the dealer and they told me to make an appointment so they could hook up their computer to it. I am trying to schedule one so it doesn't conflict with work. But before I bring it in, it would be nice to know what it could possibly be.
You don't hear any beeps when you initially turn on the key? You should hear the seatbelt dinger and all of the lights on the dash should light up.
__________________ '07 Camry LE V6 - Blue Ribbon Metallic - 6-disc JBL - Moonroof
Someday I will list my mods here
To clarify, the dash does light up, and the lights do come on. What I mean't earlier was that I wasn't getting any diagnostic lights or anything coming on after it started to signify that perhaps something was wrong.
If I had a code reader I would certainly have looked into that.
This is my first car, so I'm "new" at this sort of thing. Are code readers worth it? I mean, I just briefly looked around and some of them are like 300 dollars. What exactly does a code reader tell you?
It would be one thing if the car always needed a bit more of a crank to get it going. But, when there is a noticeable increase in the time it takes, almost four to five times the regular amount of time (regular as I am used to it), then there is some cause for concern (I think) especially when it only does it on the initial startup of the car, after it has been shut off for a night.
I guess another question I have is - With a code reader, will it tell me the part(s) that are defective/need replacing?
When you turn the key, did it make any sound when it Did Not start? I am thinkning it could be your starter, maybe the metal part of it is rusted or having problems that sometimes it's not getting any electrical flow.
Yes, when I turn the key, I can hear the starter motor cranking over the engine. I'm not sure what it is. But now that I think back to it, when it was quite cold (-10 to -20 and colder), whenever I would start the car (first time that day), while it woudl start right away, I would get a sharp grinding noise that I wouldn't normally otherwise hear. I attributed that to the fact it was just cold, as things ran smoothly when the car was warmed up (could start it and not hear that noise)
I guess you never really can know until they get it all apart.
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