Camry & Solara LoungeDiscussion area for every generation of Toyota's family car, the Toyota Camry. Lexus ES250/300 owners welcome! Topics of discussion range from fuel economy, safety, modifications, performance and more.
A year ago I had P0171 - and I replaced the upstream oxygen sensor, which cleared the code for about 9 months!! A few months ago the CEL came back and I drove with it a little without looking into it. When I did, I found the three codes - P0171, P0441, P1130.
Then, all of a sudden the car started sputtering during idle or under load - which is my biggest concern right now...
It starts up, revs up to about 2k RPM, then when it warms up / enters closed loop (it seems it's related), and drops back to about 700-800 RPM, it starts sputtering, as if it's choking up, but doesn't stall. If in PARK, I rev it up to higher RPM, sputtering stops. However, when I try to drive it, it jerks forward, as if one of the cylinders is misfiring or something (I changed plugs+wires about a year ago).
The P0441 code I suspect is the charcoal canister misbehaving, but I am not worried it right now since I don't think it would make my car sputter (right?)
Also, I have a hole in the flexible accordion-like exhaust pipe that connects to the manifold, so it sounds like a moped - but does that have anything to do with my problems? I don't know - but doesn't seem like it should, right?
Thank you for reading and for any advice you might have!
it sounds like you havea misfire in one or more of your cylinders. try unplugging your injectors one at a time and see if you see a difference. if you notice no difference at all than you have a misfire.
Today checked the PCV valve (works fine), ran engine on 3 cylinders, disconnecting one spark plug wire at a time. It ran rough and much worse than the problem I am seeing. Also, I managed to get zapped for some reason when I had gotten my hand close to the distributor.
I visually checked all the air intake tubes - nothing is unplugged and nothing is cracked. I squeezed all the air tubes (that's when I got zapped) - and no change when I was squeezing.
An interesting thing though - when I was reading about checking fuel pressure, it mentioned how the fuel pump should be whirring when I turn on the accessory power. However, I do not hear the whirring at all. I had a helper turn to the accessory position while I had my head pressed to the fuel filler neck as Haynes mentioned - but there is definitely no whirring! Is this cause for concern?? How can it be running though at all then?
I checked fuel pressure and it's steady at 50psi, but the problem still keeps occurring.
I disconnected the MAP sensor and no difference.
Tomorrow I will disconnect the fuel injectors and get them cleaned out. Not sure what to do if that doesn't work.
Meanwhile I took a look at one of the spark plugs and the tip was white, which according to Haynes means 'lean fuel mixture' as one of the reasons for that to happen. Duh!
Yeah! I meant to update but forgot... I actually drove it to the stealership because I ran out of ideas and thought they'd diagnose it for me. But, the guy called me and started telling me that they want to replace all the parts I had replaced already with Toyota parts: namely, oxygen sensor, fuel filter, spark plug wires (that I replaced a year ago)... He actually started with "we want to clean the MAF sensor first." That's what got me fuming. My car doesn't have one.
Anyways... long story short, I actually took their advice regarding the wires, because in one of my searches I found someone who wrote that his Autolite wires gave out after a year. And, I had replaced my stock wires with Autolites a year ago. So, I figured, what the heck, it's probably not going to work but what have I got to lose but another $50. So, I went to Amazon and bought Denso wires. Replaced them in 15 minutes during lunch hour, and voila, the car runs like new now. The codes went away too, but I'm not sure what's up with that. The car's been running beautifully for a week now and no CEL!
And, it was so freaking easy to work on this car compared to my two other GM cars. Everything was just so easy to disconnect, reconnect, have access to, it was pretty amazing.
Glad your problem is solved. This isn't the first time I have heard of aftermarket wires lasting only a year. I also find it interesting you didn't get a missfire code like P0300 or P0301, P0302, etc. Oh well, I'm glad your problem is fixed.
And, it was so freaking easy to work on this car compared to my two other GM cars. Everything was just so easy to disconnect, reconnect, have access to, it was pretty amazing.
The AutoGuide.com network consists of the largest network of enthusiast-owned enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
AutoGuide.com provides the latest car reviews, auto show coverage, new car prices, and automotive news. The AutoGuide network operates more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share opinions as a community.
ToyotaNation.com is an independent Toyota/Lexus enthusiast website. ToyotaNation.com is not sponsored by or in any way affiliated with Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. The Toyota, Lexus and Scion names and logos are trademarks owned by Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc.
Linear Mode
