Very hard to start

Tiny
RAIDERFAN
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 TOYOTA CAMRY
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 90,000 MILES
Several months ago my 1999 Camry hard a hard start problem when cold (not driven for approximately 8 hours). The dealership could find no problem and suggested new plugs and wires which I decided to do. The problem persisted for several more weeks though it happened less and less and finally stopped. I assumed a bad tank of gas.

The problem has returned big time. The engine turns over but chokes out almost immediately. Multiple tries produce the same result. I had the timing belt the other belts, fuel filter, air filter and battery changed. No joy.

To get the car running it is necessary to "catch" the engine before it stalls by giving it gas, rev to 3000 and the put it into gear. Once the car is driven a little it runs fine. The car has been dealer maintained (every 15,000) with the exception of me doing the oil changes (every 2500 miles with new filter and Castrol 5w-30).

Since the check engine light does not come on (except during the attempts to start the car) the are no codes stored to allow for a code reading.

Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

Thanks

raiderfan
Sunday, June 13th, 2010 AT 6:19 PM

35 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Clean the idle air control valve and test the throttle position sensor and the airflow meter as instructed by the repair manual
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Sunday, June 13th, 2010 AT 6:43 PM
Tiny
RAIDERFAN
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Hi rasmataz,

Thanks for the quick reply.

Do you mean the air flow sensor? I looked on line for where to find it. One answer said that air flow meters were on V6s only

Raiderfan
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Sunday, June 13th, 2010 AT 7:35 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
The 3.0 L has the mass airflow meter
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Sunday, June 13th, 2010 AT 11:53 PM
Tiny
NIKITHEBOSS
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
  • 1999 TOYOTA CAMRY
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 126,000 MILES
I am having some trouble starting my Camry. When I turn the key in the ignition, it doesn't do anything - engine doesn't turn, no clicks. All the indicator lights on the dashboard are still on, even the music system and fan works. It does start after a few tries - sometimes it takes more tries, sometimes it starts on the 1st or 2nd try itself. It varies.

I checked the battery a couple of times, but it doesnt have any problems (new battery). I took it to autozone to pull engine codes, but since the engine light wasn't coming on, they couldn't pull any.

I initially made a post at:

https://www.2carpros.com/forum/1999-toyota-camry--cold-starting-problem-vt215575.html

That was when we had sub-zero temperatures (in houston) and I thought it was a cold starting problem. However, now with the temperatures going up, low temperatures don't seem to be responsible for the starting troubles.

Does anyone have experience with such a problem? Any help will be appreciated. Thanks.
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Thursday, May 23rd, 2019 AT 6:52 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ZACKMAN
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,202 POSTS
That sounds like your starter. Get a DVOM and test voltage at the starter. Have an assistant crank and check voltage at the starter connection. If you get 12V, but the starter doesn't crank, your starter is bad.
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Thursday, May 23rd, 2019 AT 6:52 PM (Merged)
Tiny
NIKITHEBOSS
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Thanks Zackman,

I'll do that later today and post what happens.
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Thursday, May 23rd, 2019 AT 6:52 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ZACKMAN
  • MECHANIC
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We'll be right here.
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Thursday, May 23rd, 2019 AT 6:52 PM (Merged)
Tiny
NIKITHEBOSS
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
I had the charging system and alternator tested at Autozone - it was working fine. As far as the starter goes, I was told that I'll have to remove the starter and bring it to Autozone for them to test it. I'll try to do that sometime this week - hopefully I should be able to do it using the Toyota Camry Repair Manual.
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Thursday, May 23rd, 2019 AT 6:52 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ZACKMAN
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https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/55316_99camrystarter_1.jpg

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Thursday, May 23rd, 2019 AT 6:52 PM (Merged)
Tiny
NIKITHEBOSS
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
I took it to firestone - they tested it. Initially, the mechanic didn't find anything wrong. He gave me a clean chit for the starter - saying that it was most probably the fuel injection system that needed cleaning (havn't done that for almost 70k miles now). However, after we were done discussing what was involved in the fuel injection clean up, fuel filter replacement and stuff, when he tried to start the car to pull it out of the shop, he couldn't do so - and diagnosed it as the starter - based on the clicks that he heard. I've given the camry to the firestone to get it replaced - will be getting it back later today.

I'll post if the problem is resolved.
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Thursday, May 23rd, 2019 AT 6:52 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ZACKMAN
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Cool.
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Thursday, May 23rd, 2019 AT 6:52 PM (Merged)
Tiny
NIKITHEBOSS
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
No starting woes today! Thanks for your suggestions Zackman - I really appreciate it.
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Thursday, May 23rd, 2019 AT 6:52 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ZACKMAN
  • MECHANIC
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There you go.
Stop by any time.
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Thursday, May 23rd, 2019 AT 6:52 PM (Merged)
Tiny
NADFLYER
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 TOYOTA CAMRY
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 123,000 MILES
My car has trouble starting, but it's not the battery, could it be the starter? When you start it, it will click a little bit then start.

Thank you.
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Thursday, May 23rd, 2019 AT 6:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ROB2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 258 POSTS
If you know for sure that it's not the battery then Sounds like you may have a bad connection somewhere, possible the terminals on the battery or connections to the solenoid. I would also check the connections to the starter.

-Rob.
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Thursday, May 23rd, 2019 AT 6:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LITERARY45
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1999 TOYOTA CAMRY
  • 4 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 160,000 MILES
I replaced the battery in my car when it wouldn't start. After replacing it with a new battery, the car started but the radio/lights/windows wouldn't work. So, we thought it needs new fuses as well. After replacing the fuses, now the lights, radio, power windows/locks work, but the car won't start. What could be wrong?
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Thursday, May 23rd, 2019 AT 6:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
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But the car won't start.

What is it doing? Is it cranking over and refusing to start or just won't crank over at all.
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Thursday, May 23rd, 2019 AT 6:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LITERARY45
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Asked: but the car won't start.

What is it doing? Is it cranking over and refusing to start or just won't crank over at all.

My Response:

I turn the key in the ignition and the lights turn on, windshield wipers work, but the engine does not start. It doesn't even even attempt to start. Is it that something's not connected. What do you think?
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Thursday, May 23rd, 2019 AT 6:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Do below and determine if its fuel or spark problem

Get a carb cleaner and spray into the carb or the throttle body on an EFI. Did it start and die? If not disconnect a sparkplug wire or 2 and ground it to the engine -have helper crank engine over-do you have a snapping blue spark? If so-you have a fuel problem, check the fuel pressure to rule out the fuel filter/fuel pump/pressure regulator and listen to the injector/s are they pulsing or hook up a noid light. No snapping blue spark continue to troubleshoot the ignition system-power input to the coil/coil packs, distributor pick-up coil, ignition control module, cam and crank sensors-
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Thursday, May 23rd, 2019 AT 6:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WADELETT
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1999 TOYOTA CAMRY
  • 201,380 MILES
I have to key on and off my 99 Toyota Camry several times before it will start ran a test for spark the car has none while cranking but when key is released will usually get one spark on test periodically car will start right up not very often though. Have replaced cam and crank sensor is there any chance anti theft could be the problem have also replaced pcm any help is appreciated. Also mother runs great after start.
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Thursday, May 23rd, 2019 AT 6:53 PM (Merged)

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