1999 Toyota Camry rough idle

GR8STX

MEMBER
1999 TOYOTA CAMRY
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
180,000 MILES

After I start up the car and drive 2 or 3 miles the engine starts to idle and run rough and the engine light begins to flash. What do you think the problem is? How do you fix it?

Tuesday, May 12th, 2009 AT 6:31 AM

5 Replies

MHPAUTOS

MECHANIC
31,937 POSTS

Hi there,

The engine light is an indication that there is a set fault code in the ECU memory, get this code read and report back the code here for information on what to do next.

Mark (mhpautos)

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Tuesday, May 12th, 2009 AT 5:55 PM

GR8STX

MEMBER
4 POSTS

I took it and had it check at autozone and at Kwik Kar. The test at both places said,
Random Cylinder misfire detected probable cause
001 Weak/msiising spark
002 Plugged fuel injector
003 Engine Mechanical fault
004 Large vacuum leak specific to cylinder
or
Random Cylinder misfire detected probable cause
001 Lean Air/fuel ratio-ruel pump
002 Faulty MAF/VAF sensor
003 Large vacuum leak
004 Ignition system fault

Kwik Kar said I needed a tune up so I did the tune up for $70.00 and the car still idled rough and engine light flahing so they said I needed a new motor. So I guess it was driven to long with the engine light flashing to get home.

What do you think?

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Tuesday, May 12th, 2009 AT 9:15 PM

MHPAUTOS

MECHANIC
31,937 POSTS

Hi there,

I would not be splashing out on a new motor just yet, take it to an independent work shop and have a compression test done, and get their opinion on the other problems, I feel that they should be easily repaired, but if the comps are low then you will have to consider major work, do this next.

Mark (mhpautos)

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Tuesday, May 12th, 2009 AT 9:52 PM

GR8STX

MEMBER
4 POSTS

We did a compression test and it showed that one of the cylinders was lower than suggested. Since the tune up did not work and the compression test stilled showed a low or misfiring cylinder I assume the only thing to do is a new 4 cylinder engine? They say they can put a new engine in the care for $1,404.00.

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Wednesday, May 13th, 2009 AT 6:07 AM

MHPAUTOS

MECHANIC
31,937 POSTS

Hi there,

With the miles on the clock the engine may not respond well to having the head done only if the comp is a valve problem, you will have to weigh up the costs and decide if the car is wort spending that money on or invest it in a new car or late second hand car.

Mark (mhpautos)