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Toyota Camry Repair Questions and Answers

Answer: Yes, your car should stay running after starting. If your engine is slow cranking, have the battery load tested. Your car may be ready for a major tune-up including spark plugs, plug wires, distributor cap, rotor, fuel filter and air filter. Also, perform a fuel pump pressure test. Clean fuel injection system including throttle bore, idle speed control motor and passages. If problem still exists, you will have to scan your computer for fault codes. We recommend buying a pocket scanner that works just like your mechanics. They read the data stream from your cars computer and give you all the trouble codes that are malfunctioning on your car.  You can look up the trouble codes here. After replacing all the sensors that have failed you can use the same scanner to clear the check engine light

Question: 2000 Toyota Camry  mileage: 75,000. Vehicle towed into my shop idles really rough; I replaced cap, wires, rotor, and plugs. Still idles rough, replaced timing belt, fuel filter, and injectors, fuel pressure o.k. Replaced dist with good one still runs rough. Compression at 175 all cylinders. No codes, replaced igniter, checked all grounds ok removed both o2 sensors to check for backpressure still idles rough. ECM was replaced at dealer. They were not able to figure it out either. I checked for vacuum leaks externally non-found. No vacuum inside valve cover either this has me and my mechanics stumped. Customer states vehicle was running fine, and then went to start it the next morning when it started running rough. I also checked injector signal at all injectors' waveform o.k. all data from scanner normal, will not accelerate at idle, bogs unless I spray carburetor spray rpm will pick up and run smooth above 1800 rpm and stay running smooth even after I stop spraying carburetor spray. But when you let it go below 1800 rpm. It starts running rough again. This car is kicking my butt. I would really like some help. Mike

Answer: Check the EGR valve to make sure it is closed at idle and operating properly. In addition, check the fuel injector flow. Even though you checked the injector waveform, the injector flow may still be faulty.

Question: 1994 Toyota Camry LE mileage: 80,000. Hello guys, I have been able to replace the front spark plugs easily, but do you know/or have advice on how to remove the plugs in the back. They seem to be under the intake manifold. I can't find any extra info in any manuals. I'm stumped!

Answer: The spark plugs are under the intake manifold and in order to access the plugs, the easiest way is to remove the manifold.

Question: 1998 Toyota Camry  mileage: 30,000. We have owned the car about a month. The first week I noticed a terrible cloud of smoke when I first took off from a stoplight. It did it about 5 or 6 more times (every time), till I took it home for the night. I knew that the engine was bad. It is still under the bumper-to-bumper warranty so I had Toyota look at it. They couldn't get it to smoke, and I can't either whenever I want. It just does it every once in a while, but it has used about a qt of oil in 1500 miles. The oil level seems to go down in direct relation to the smoking incidents. In addition, it seems to be getting a little better, less smoke less often. My question is, what could be wrong and what advice could you give. Gene

Answer: Check the gaskets for signs of an oil leak and change the PCV valve.

Question: 1996 Toyota Camry mileage: 125,000. The car shakes like a coin operated bed in a cheap hotel when it is in gear with the brake on. The shaking subsides when the car is in park or neutral and seems to get worse the warmer the engine gets. I have had 3 new engine mounts (all except the transmission mount) replaced plus diagnostics computer test of all systems ($750) and she is still shaking. Help! Losing my fillings in OHIO, Kathy

Answer: Do a compression check, check for vacuum leaks and check to make sure the EGR valve is closed at idle and not leaking.

Answer:    It should be located on the bottom of the radiator tank.  It may be easier for you to drain your cooling system by removing the bottom radiator hose from the radiator.

Question:  1993 Camry V6 mileage: 120,000.  Ok, now I am only trying to find out how to change the dome light bulb, I have inserted the screwdriver in the slot made on the side of the plastic lens, to pop it out, but the thing does not budge. I am scared to apply more force, and break the thing.

Answer:    Just pry around the edges very carefully until it comes loose; do not force it. 

Question:  1992 Toyota Camry mileage: 74,000.  My car hesitates to start when it is wet outdoors.  I thought that my starter was going out, but I had the car checked at the dealer and they could not find anything wrong.  I have a new battery.  On the day that I took it to the dealer it was dry outdoors.  Could the moisture have something to do with my car not starting?  Please let me know what you think.

Answer:  Yes, moisture can affect your car’s starting.  Moisture will cause old spark plug wires and/or distributor cap to short out.  Try replacing them to fix your no start problem.

Question:  1997 Toyota Camry  mileage: 98,000.  When I hit 65 mph while driving my steering wheel shakes and shakes, as soon as I go slower, the shaking stops.

Answer: Sounds like your tires need balancing.

Question:  1996 Toyota Camry  mileage: 93,000.  I am having problems with the cold idle characteristics of my 1996-2.0L Toyota Camry...   The car starts great when cold but will not idle at all.  I must keep my foot on the accelerator until the car is warm, or the engine will stop.  When warm it is fine.  I notice that the warm idle is a bit low as well, but not always.  I suspect it is the idle air control (IAC) valve as the car idles fine when warm...Are there any service operations other than replacement that can be done to the IAC Valve?  Is there an idle RPM setting procedure that can be done?  I guess I could fork over the $125 for the factory manual, every time there is something remotely beyond the average backyard mechanic my Haynes manual says "Take it to the dealer".

Answer:   If a major tune-up has not been done recently, this could be the cause of your problem.  Replace the spark plugs, plug wires, fuel and air filters, etc.  Also, replace the oxygen sensor.  In addition, service the fuel injection system.  Clean the carbon deposits from the throttle bore and idle passages.

Question:  1998 Toyota Camry  mileage: 135,000.  How to replace the CV shaft on the passenger side that has bracket that holds the bearing. I cannot get the old shaft completely out of the transmission.  I cannot get the old bearing out of the bracket.  How do I get it out of the bracket?

Answer: The axle shaft “snaps” in and out of the transmission.  A pry bar with mild force should remove the axle.  The bearing must be pressed off.

Question:  1991 Toyota Camry mileage: 93,000. For the past two weeks, every time it rains or is very damp my car is hard to start, runs rough, and hesitates on acceleration and stalls. Once everything dries out the car runs fine. I replaced ignition cables, distributor cap and rotor but problem continues. Thought I'd check with you before I take it to the dealer.

Answer: You are on the right track. The problem may be in the ignition system. You should have the coil checked. It may be arcing when damp.

Question:  1996 Toyota Camry   mileage: 118,000. Car is sluggish when accelerating and going up hill, I'm guessing it’s a fuel filter cause that's the only thing I think I could fix. How hard is it to replace the filter. Any other thing that might cause sluggishness, car seems to run ok once you get up to speed. It's fuel injected. Thanks a lot

Answer: Yes a partially plugged fuel filter could be the cause of your problem. Replacing it is not too difficult. Another cause could be a plugged catalytic converter.

Question:  1999 Toyota Camry mileage: 93,000. The problem is sometimes when you go to crank it up, it will turn over, but it won't crank. It doesn't do it all the time, just every so often. Then if you wait a few minutes it will crank up. Also, if you give it a little gas when it is in this condition, it will crank, but if you let off of the gas it will go dead. If you keep the gas pushed for a minute or so, it will stay running.

Answer:  Your car may be ready for a major tune-up including spark plugs, plug wires, distributor cap, rotor, fuel filter and air filter. Also, perform a fuel pump pressure test. Clean fuel injection system including throttle bore, idle speed control motor and passages. If problem still exists, scan computer for trouble codes.

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