2002 Camry v6 stalls on idle instantly after battery replacement

[core2kid]

Just got the battery replaced on my v6 Camry, had no problems before it. After replacing the battery, I drove about a mile to another stop and parked the car. Noticed it vibrating and the idles very low. I restarted the car and it wouldn't stay on. Car will turn on fine, RPMs will go a bit above 1k and drop down and turn off in about 5 seconds.

Today morning I started it and it seemed fine (cold start). Idles were about 1K on a cold start. Drove around about a mile and came home and the car stalled. Same as above, it'll start up and stall within 5 seconds.

I took it for a drive (about 25 miles) so the car can re-learn everything and took a stop at Autozone. Same thing there. Didn't stall on the way because I didn't have to stop, I was on the highway. One of the sales guys looked at the car and told me to try out a new MAF Sensor. Installed a new sensor and the car died off again within 5 seconds. Checked the readings of the MAF sensor (old and new) and they both read fine.

Brought the car back home (about 35 miles total driving after battery replacement) and it'll still stall as soon as you stop. To keep it going, you have to hold the brake and hit the accelerator very lightly to keep the idle in the middle of 0 and 1 or shift into Neutral and do the same.

No CELs on the car, car drove perfectly fine before the new battery. New battery tests good, even went to the extent of putting my old battery back in (Drove about 35 miles on new battery, replaced and drove 35ish miles). Car has just short of 100k miles. Regular services are done at Toyota at about 5-6k.

Any ideas? I'm so lost and I don't want to take it to the dealer.

[Luna2]

The ECU must relearn the idle settings.
Disconnect the battery (negative terminal). Wait 90+ seconds.
Reconnect the battery.
When cold, start your car, let it set (running) for about 10 min. (Have some coffee.)
Drive around for about 5+ miles.
This may not be the exact procedure, someone chime in, if they know...

[core2kid]

That's similar to what I already did except the let it idle in the beginning. My dad's currently driving the car to work and back (25 miles/day) so I can't do anything until the weekend. Lets see if it fixes itself by then, if not I'll let do what you said and let you know.

Any other input appreciated.

[Donald E. George]

The throttle body could be going south but that seems to be too much of a coincidence so Luna2 is probably right. Maybe your ECU is a slow learner. Regards

[core2kid]

Well I guess I'll let the ECU relearn settings over a period of 150 miles. If that still doesn't solve it I'll let you guys know. Thanks.

[william m dowd]

The same thing happened to me after talking to a tech at Toyota he said to clean out the throttle body I used brake cleaner on a rag and cleaned out where the throttle body goes into the intake pushed the butter fly valve back and cleaned all around now the car runs just fine. Be careful not to push to hard on the throttle valve I have 54,000 miles and it was dirty.

[core2kid]

You lost me there haha. I'm more of an electronics person, I don't know much on engines. I'll look up a tutorial for what you said. BTW, could 100k old spark plugs be causing this?

[william m dowd]

Since your 100k check up is coming up ask the dealer to clean the throttle body they will know what to do. Changing spark plugs on the V6 is a nightmare don't try and get out the rear plugs have a pro do it. I am also a electronics engieer but I got into cars a long time ago. If you haven't had the trans oil changed in a long time have the dealer do it or a trans shop do it, also change out the power steering fluid and change out the brake fluid. also look at your cabin filter for the air conditioner if it hasn't been changed it will be full of dirt. one last thing have a radiator shop change out your anti freeze if it hasn't been changed.

[core2kid]

Well turns out that my dad just took it to the Toyota dealer and told them "the battery was dead". They replaced the battery (F****** $150) and it seems to be running fine. I'm thinking Toyota reprograms the ECU after a battery change?

I'll still take your advice, 100k mile service is huge and I'm printing out that list and keeping it with me when I go places. Thanks!

[william m dowd]

Glad to hear that the dealer took good care of you car if you take care of the Toyota it can go 300,000 miles or more I ran a Toyota Cressida to about 450.000 miles and the person who bought it has passed over 500,000 miles using mobil one and everything is still orignal .. I use only mobil one in my Camry a 2006 I use in the trans, motor, and power steering my goal 400,000 miles...

[core2kid]

My dad and I are on top of our services. I'm not sure how long he wants to keep his Camry but I'm planning to keep my Celica for as long as I can. It's that special place in your hard that your first car holds, not to mention I love my MPG.

BTW, Toyota recommended a timing belt replacement in the Camry. Some people have told me to do it, some have said you can wait until it breaks because it's a non-interference engine. What do you guys think?

[william m dowd]

Never go there I have heard of the V6 engine busting the valves against the pistons and you can forget that engine. The timing belt should be changed at 90,000 miles along with WATER PUMP and idler bearing and check the crank seal Toyota will know what to do or and independent shop will also know what to replace.

[core2kid]

Timing belt was checked at 90K by Toyota, they said it could go on until 100K. If I get the timing belt done, I'm getting it done at Toyota. I've heard horror stories about how independent shops have done it improperly where the timing is off and you hear abnormal noises from the engine.