Very hard to start

1999 TOYOTA CAMRY
90,000 MILES • 4 CYL • FWD • AUTOMATIC
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RAIDERFAN
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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
Jun 13, 2010 at 6:19 PM
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RASMATAZ
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Clean the idle air control valve and test the throttle position sensor and the airflow meter as instructed by the repair manual
Jun 13, 2010 at 6:43 PM
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RAIDERFAN
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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
Jun 13, 2010 at 7:35 PM
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RASMATAZ
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The 3.0 L has the mass airflow meter
Jun 13, 2010 at 11:53 PM
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NIKITHEBOSS
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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.
May 23, 2019 at 6:52 PM (Merged)
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ZACKMAN
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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.
May 23, 2019 at 6:52 PM (Merged)
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NIKITHEBOSS
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Thanks Zackman,

I'll do that later today and post what happens.
May 23, 2019 at 6:52 PM (Merged)
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ZACKMAN
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We'll be right here...
May 23, 2019 at 6:52 PM (Merged)
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NIKITHEBOSS
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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.
May 23, 2019 at 6:52 PM (Merged)
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ZACKMAN
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https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/55316_99camrystarter_1.jpg

May 23, 2019 at 6:52 PM (Merged)
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NIKITHEBOSS
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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.
May 23, 2019 at 6:52 PM (Merged)
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ZACKMAN
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Cool...
May 23, 2019 at 6:52 PM (Merged)
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NIKITHEBOSS
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No starting woes today! Thanks for your suggestions Zackman - I really appreciate it.
May 23, 2019 at 6:52 PM (Merged)
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ZACKMAN
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There you go.....
Stop by any time.
May 23, 2019 at 6:52 PM (Merged)
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NADFLYER
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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.
May 23, 2019 at 6:53 PM (Merged)
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ROB2008
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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 ,
May 23, 2019 at 6:53 PM (Merged)
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LITERARY45
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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??
May 23, 2019 at 6:53 PM (Merged)
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RASMATAZ
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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.
May 23, 2019 at 6:53 PM (Merged)
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LITERARY45
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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??
May 23, 2019 at 6:53 PM (Merged)
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RASMATAZ
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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-
May 23, 2019 at 6:53 PM (Merged)
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WADELETT
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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.
May 23, 2019 at 6:53 PM (Merged)
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HMAC300
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check the efi fuse and relay in eng compartment. it may bbe the problem otherwise get it scanned to see if anything is coming up. It cold also bea an igniter that has a poor corroded connection or is going bad. If it were anti theft it would n't run at all.
May 23, 2019 at 6:53 PM (Merged)
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WADELETT
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Had a crankshaft position sensor circuit malfunction code but that has Ben addresses. Igniter???
May 23, 2019 at 6:53 PM (Merged)
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HMAC300
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if it had a crank sensor code then check the connection it may not be good wiggle it then try to start.
May 23, 2019 at 6:53 PM (Merged)
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MSDOOZIE
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Car is hard to start in the mornings. Turn the ingition key at least 3 to 4 times, before the car will start. Same problem in the evenings, when I leave work. It takes a few times of turning the ignition key, prior to starting the car. Please help. Is it the battery?
May 23, 2019 at 6:53 PM (Merged)
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DSPLC
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This is if the engine is cold. You need a new battery if you turn the ignition key and the engine is having a hard time to turn over (like something is stopping the engine to turn over) but is easy to start once the engine is already warm/hot. Some auto parts store have a battery tester and can check your battery if it is weak already. (free of charge).

It might be the starter, if you turn the ignition key and the engine is having a hard time to turn over whether the engine is cold or hot.

This is if the engine is cold again. If you turn the ignition key, and the engine easily turns over continously but will only start after few times of turning the ignition key, then you might need a tune up.
May 23, 2019 at 6:53 PM (Merged)
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OLD98CAMRY
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When the engine is cold, it's hard to start, I have to keep pressing gas to get it started after turn on the key, usually the initial idle speed is as low as 400 RPM, but once it's drived for a while, it runs well and could be started again easily. After more than 5 h parking, hard starting comes back. I have replaced ignition coil, valve head gasket, ignition wire and spark plugs, engine coolant temperature sensor,timing belt and water pump, nothing changes
May 23, 2019 at 6:53 PM (Merged)
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MERLIN2021
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It sounds like a bad idle air control valve, is your check engine light on? It may or may not be for this one, also you may have a vacuum leak, get a can of spray gumout, spray the vac lines and maniflod area, when the idle changes, youve found the leak! You want the engine running and spray on the outside but do direct the stream onto the hoses, if it is a vacuum leak, the engine idle will change speed, then you have detected a leak, repair the vacuum leak and see how it runs!
Check the PCV, if clogged it can do this.
May 23, 2019 at 6:54 PM (Merged)
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OLD98CAMRY
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[quote:5978acb729="merlin2021"]It sounds like a bad idle air control valve, is your check engine light on? It may or may not be for this one, also you may have a vacuum leak, get a can of spray gumout, spray the vac lines and maniflod area, when the idle changes, youve found the leak! You want the engine running and spray on the outside but do direct the stream onto the hoses, if it is a vacuum leak, the engine idle will change speed, then you have detected a leak, repair the vacuum leak and see how it runs!
Check the PCV, if clogged it can do this.[/quote:5978acb729]

check engine light off, no error code was found
May 23, 2019 at 6:54 PM (Merged)
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MERLIN2021
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IAC is hard to test but you can try unplugging, and re-plugging it, it may or may not improve...
May 23, 2019 at 6:54 PM (Merged)
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OLD98CAMRY
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After replacing Idle Air Control (IAC) valve, the problem was solved! A Toyota expert told me that this is a common problem for camrys.

Thank you!
May 23, 2019 at 6:54 PM (Merged)
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MERLIN2021
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Your welcome!
May 23, 2019 at 6:54 PM (Merged)
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BEER4ME123
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I have a 1998 V-6 Camry. It has 134,000 miles. New timing belt at 100k. I just replaced plugs and wires and EFI cooling temp sensor. I had a shop do some diagnosis. They tested the throttle position sensor and MAF okay. The symptoms are: after the vehicle is warm and it is shutdown, it is hard to start due to rough low idle. If I give it some gas, it will get through the rough idle ok, but I have to maintain that throttle position to keep it above 1000 RPM for about 30 seconds and then it will idle OK without stalling. If I don't give the engine some gas during the warm start, it will not idle and will stall.This only occurs when the engine is warm. No problems cold starting or idling once driving. No engine trouble light coming on and no codes stored for troubleshooting. Help Please.
May 23, 2019 at 6:54 PM (Merged)
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SHASHADAWNA
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my 03 camry is having the same problem-no one can figure mine out either....really aggravating...let me know if you figure this one out.
May 23, 2019 at 6:54 PM (Merged)
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TGRIFF3492
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I have a 1999 toyota camry when I go to start it sometimes it wont turn over at all. I had a bad battery but I changed it also my starter was tested and it is good. What else could it be ? please help :(
May 23, 2019 at 6:54 PM (Merged)
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LOSONE
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I am the new Toyota moderator Losone

All Toyotas have a starter relay. It is a small relay usually located in the Engine fuse block.

Another issue has been the contacts in the starter solonoid. It quite often fails. If the relay doesn't do the trick then remove the starter solonoid on top of the starter and inspect the contacts. The contacts can be purchased from a dealer very reasonable.
May 23, 2019 at 6:54 PM (Merged)