Shut off while driving and wont start

Tiny
PRYTEE
  • MEMBER
  • 1995 TOYOTA CAMRY
I was driving down the highway when all of a sudden I felt like I wasn't accelarating anymore. My oil light came on and two seconds later, my car shut off. I can't get it to start and I've noticed that it's leaking what I'm guessing, is coolant. The liquid is light looking. When I try to start it, it makes a whiney noise and drags. Not the sound I'm used to hearing when cars don't start. All fluids were full when it shut down. I don't know what could be wrong. I do have a remote start on the car.
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Sunday, May 10th, 2009 AT 4:18 PM

82 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Get a helper to crank engine over-remove the distributor cap and look at the rotor if its turning while being crank over. If so check for fuel and spark then comeback with some results
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Sunday, May 10th, 2009 AT 4:32 PM
Tiny
PPCASM
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  • 1 POST
It sounds like your power steering pump has probably locked up, or is not getting enough fluid to move freely, the clear liquid is probably power steering fluid.
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Thursday, July 2nd, 2009 AT 7:36 PM
Tiny
BRIANBURGGRAF
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 1995 TOYOTA CAMRY
  • 224,000 MILES
I have recently put a head gasket on the car, replaced the EGR, and it just wants to stall when put in gear if you have the AC on
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Thursday, June 18th, 2020 AT 9:49 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Clean the idle air control valve and test the throttle position sensor
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Thursday, June 18th, 2020 AT 9:49 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BRIANBURGGRAF
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I have cleaned the IAC and changed the TPS, though I havent tested either to see if they are working right
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Thursday, June 18th, 2020 AT 9:49 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,815 POSTS
Have the valve clearances checked/adjusted. Insufficient clearances would cause idling problems.
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Thursday, June 18th, 2020 AT 9:49 AM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,758 POSTS
You should be cleaning the inside of the throttle body in addition the the IAC.
First eliminate all vacuum or air leaks in the system. You may have a bad IAC ( idle air control) but try cleaning the throttle body first. Remove the intake snorkel, have someone hold the throttle wide open for you and scrub the back side of the throttle plate and surrounding bore with an old tooth brush and some carb cleaner. Be sure to spray some into the small holes next to the throttle plate. That should help stabilize the idle. If it still has a problem, replace the IAC.
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Thursday, June 18th, 2020 AT 9:49 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BRIANBURGGRAF
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I have cleaned the throttle plate, tending to think the IAC is just gone bad. Doesn't idle up any when AC is switched on
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Thursday, June 18th, 2020 AT 9:49 AM (Merged)
Tiny
TMAN821
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1995 TOYOTA CAMRY
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 178,000 MILES
After driving the car for about 15-30 min. The engine will die when you brake to stop or make a turn.

I changed the plugs, but the problem did not go away. It's like it's not idling fast enough after the engine get to normal operating temperature.

The check engine light is not on when the engine dies.

There also seems to be a miss when the engine is running.
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Thursday, June 18th, 2020 AT 9:49 AM (Merged)
Tiny
IMPALASS
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,112 POSTS
Hello -

To better assist you can you give me the exact model of your vehicle. Is it a 2 door coupe or a 4 door sedan or a wagon. Also, is it a DX, LE, SE, or XLE. Last your engine size in liter
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Thursday, June 18th, 2020 AT 9:49 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,815 POSTS
While cleanng the IAC, ensure the valve moves freely. They can get stuck and some cleaning and WD-40 would help to loosen the valve.
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Thursday, June 18th, 2020 AT 9:49 AM (Merged)
Tiny
TMAN821
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
It is a 1995 camry LE 4 door sedan 4 cylinder 2200
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Thursday, June 18th, 2020 AT 9:49 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BRIANBURGGRAF
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Have taken the electronic magnet part of the circuit off and turned the valve by hand while it was running and it idles up, so I am figuring its bad
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Thursday, June 18th, 2020 AT 9:49 AM (Merged)
Tiny
IMPALASS
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,112 POSTS
Hello -

Well, just a couple of things. . .. . .. . .. . ...

Do you know how to check the codes for your car?

Next, it sounds like it may be your Idle Air Control Valve. . ..IAC. I have attached some checks for you to try.

An IAC (idle air control) motor is designed to adjust the engine idle RPM speed by opening and closing an air bypass passage inside the throttle body. The car computer or ECM (electronic control module) receives information from various sensors and will output signals to adjust the IAC motor in or out to adjust engine idle speed by controlling engine idle air. An IAC motor can fail one of two ways, either the motor short circuits and stops working or the motor will develop high resistance and cause the IAC control motor to react slowly, either failure will cause the engine to stall at idle. When a trouble code scan is performed it sometimes won't always detect a failed or weak IAC motor. To check the IAC motor remove the unit, with the wires connected turn the key to the "on" position without starting the engine, the IAC should move in or out. If the IAC motor does nothing it has probably failed, replace it with a new unit and recheck system. note: while the IAC motor is removed clean (use aerosol carburetor cleaner) the passages the IAC uses to control idle air speed

More Checks


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/248015_1_149.jpg




https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/248015_2_98.jpg




https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/248015_3_68.jpg




https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/248015_4_44.jpg




https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/248015_5_29.jpg

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Thursday, June 18th, 2020 AT 9:49 AM (Merged)
Tiny
PROAUTOTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 288 POSTS
I hope this fixed it, I was going to suggest a bad A/C pump or bad pulley bearings/clutch. Let me know if you got her fixed. I've had similar problems, and fixed it this way. Thanks!
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Thursday, June 18th, 2020 AT 9:49 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DAVIDNARAYANAN
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
  • 1995 TOYOTA CAMRY
  • 198,000 MILES
2 weeks back when I came back from a shop, my car did not start (5s 4 cylinder xle model). Towed it. Realised that the car starts in the morning and can run for 5-10 minutes after which it dies. My battery is new. Temperator control sensor is new, Alternator is working good. New spark plugs and spark plug wiring. Had clearned (spraying carb cleaner) iac and throttle. Fuses (engine compartment) checked and found good. No fault codes. (Connected terminals te1 and e1 but no flashing lights in instrument panel). I am planning to check EGR, fuel pressure, fuel filter next. Please let me know what else should I do. Thanks
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Thursday, June 18th, 2020 AT 9:49 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,938 POSTS
I would be checking that when if fails that you still have spark and fuel pump operation, check these first.
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Thursday, June 18th, 2020 AT 9:50 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DAVIDNARAYANAN
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Is it possible to have no spark after 10 minutes. For the first 10 minutes the car runs smooth like new.
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Thursday, June 18th, 2020 AT 9:50 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,938 POSTS
Yes it is, sensors can shut down when they heat up (if faulty) then work when they cool down, not that uncommon to see this.
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Thursday, June 18th, 2020 AT 9:50 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MERCYME2K
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1995 TOYOTA CAMRY
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 78,000 MILES
Our car runs great, but after a while shuts of for no reason. Then you have to let it sit for a while before it starts again. Sometimes it gets me half way to work and other times it doesn't even get me down the block. Sometimes when it shuts down and you get it started the transmission runs slow and you have to put it in second for it to go. Please help us.
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Thursday, June 18th, 2020 AT 9:50 AM (Merged)

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