Car runs like shit!!!! need help!!! - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

ballz2wallz · 10-06-2005, 02:35 PM

I have a 1994 camry 5sfe motor, 106,000 miles, and it has been running like crap lately.

Symptoms of the top of my head:

-under 2000rpms is VERY sluggish
-idles low ~500rpms
-battery and rear tail light lights are lit on dash upon start-up, but eventually go away after driving a few minutes
-reverse shakes car miserably
-going through a lot of fuel (crappy mpg)

I have replaced the following recently:
-timing belt, tensioner, all pulleys and water pump
-new spark plugs and wires
-new coil inside distributor
-air filter and fuel filter

I was thinking maybe I should remove the TB and clean the IAC as well as EGR valve and see if this helps. Also, I originally thought my timing was off, but wouldn't my car run like shit through all rpms, not just under 2000?

All help will be greatly appreciated...thanks,
JS

Cyorke · 10-06-2005, 03:11 PM

sond slike you need to start with the TB cleaning and all of that stuff. If you want to check your timing you can jump the Te and EC terminals inthe test port under the hood. THis will allow you to check the itming with a light.

As for the battery light make sure the serpentine belt is tight. Maybe it is slipping when cold nad causing the lights to come on. It is not the battery and brake light is it or is it the indicator in the dash for a burnt tail light. Usually if the alternator is going out the battery and brake light will both come on together.

droptop986 · 10-06-2005, 03:34 PM

It sounds like your timing is probably off a little. I'd check the timing with a timing light. My car had these symptoms and it required a minor adjustment of the distributer (maybe a half inchrotation) to correct the problem

toyboyracer · 10-06-2005, 04:01 PM

Failing battery, voltage regulator, clogged air cleaner element,
all the above said already and possibly a vaccum line is off or cracked/split.
Aren't modern cars wonderful?

Pineapple · 10-06-2005, 04:08 PM

Did you set you idle speed and timing? Clean the TB and ICV before you do that.

ballz2wallz · 10-06-2005, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cyorke

sond slike you need to start with the TB cleaning and all of that stuff. If you want to check your timing you can jump the Te and EC terminals inthe test port under the hood. THis will allow you to check the itming with a light.

As for the battery light make sure the serpentine belt is tight. Maybe it is slipping when cold nad causing the lights to come on. It is not the battery and brake light is it or is it the indicator in the dash for a burnt tail light. Usually if the alternator is going out the battery and brake light will both come on together.

I forgot to mention....that I am losing about 50mpg from all of this just recently happening. It is the battery indicator and tail light indicator on the dash coming on....my actual lights are not burnt out.

ballz2wallz · 10-06-2005, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by droptop986

It sounds like your timing is probably off a little. I'd check the timing with a timing light. My car had these symptoms and it required a minor adjustment of the distributer (maybe a half inchrotation) to correct the problem

But wouldn't it run like shit at all rpms?

That is what I thought originally...cause it really started happening after I changed my coil in the distributor.

ballz2wallz · 10-06-2005, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pineapple

Did you set you idle speed and timing? Clean the TB and ICV before you do that.

How do I set idle speed and timing is this done by computer...am i going to need to go to the dealer for this?

AVL92CAMRY · 10-06-2005, 07:42 PM

Sounds like the valve timing is retarded by one tooth. Pull your upper timing cover off and check that the valve cog is still in 100% time with the crank.

I have experimented with my valve timing and if its retarded you will get the symptoms you describe. No torque below 2k-3k rpms(but will start to catch up over 3k). Rough, low idle. Shaking car.

You can also check with a timing light. Your ignition timing will be very off if your valve train is retarded from the crank.

Wow, your down by 50mpg!! If I could only get 50mpg!

leasaunce · 10-06-2005, 07:53 PM

^^ I agree with what most people have said. make sure you clean the Throttle Body, this usualy helps alot!

How do you drive the car???? smoothly or SUPER HARD?

ballz2wallz · 10-07-2005, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leasaunce

^^ I agree with what most people have said. make sure you clean the Throttle Body, this usualy helps alot!

How do you drive the car???? smoothly or SUPER HARD?

I drive my car like a grandma....I have a Z06 that I drive on the weekends.

Pineapple · 10-07-2005, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ballz2wallz

How do I set idle speed and timing is this done by computer...am i going to need to go to the dealer for this?

Depends on year. Check to see if you got a rubber plug/idle screw on throttle body. If not, you'll have to clean the ICV cause its controlling idle. Timing is don't by losing the disturbutor and rotating it. So you might have wrong timing if you take it out to change the coil.

shortdahri · 10-07-2005, 12:20 PM

Check timing belt. Sounds like timing is off. This one thing could affect pretty much everything you mentioned.

terrastrife · 10-07-2005, 02:35 PM

teeth are for chains.

belts dont have teeth on the pulleys/cogs//whatever.