QuestionQUESTION: I have a 1998 Camry with about 140,000 miles on it. Normally, my car starts fine. There are certain, though, times when it does start. It's usually when the car has only been off for about 5-10 minutes. Also, when I make multiple stops on one trip, it will do it. I turn the key, I hear the fuel pump engaging, the engine cranks, and it just doesn't catch. I'm at the point now, where I have to try about five times before the car actually starts. I've recently changed the fuel filter and installed a new battery. I went to Advance Auto Parts and their test said that the starter and alternator were both good. I am really confused about what this problem could be. I have yet to be able to recreate it for anyone else, since it happens randomly. Could it be something electrical? Any help is greatly appreciated. I feel like I'm a wild goose chase trying to diagnose this problem. Thank you for your time.
ANSWER: When it have the starting problem and then starts does it have a low idle and then stall and does pressing the accelerator help keep it running?
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QUESTION: When it has the starting problem, once I get it to start its just fine. It idles normally,800-1,000rpms, doesn't feel at all like it is going to die. I just put in gear and I'm on my way. The car runs like a charm, doesn't idle rough or stall. The problem occured again tonight, it started up on the third try. I had to wait about 45 seconds to 1 minute between tries.
ANSWER: Try replacing the coolant temp sensor for the ECU, it's located near the thermostat on the 4 cylinder engine, if this is a V-6 let me know.
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QUESTION: Mr. Ritter,
I changed the coolant temp sensor, but the problem still persists. I figured out last week that the problem starting in December of 2007, almost two years ago. Do you have any other suggestions as to what it could be? I've had different people tell me it could be the spark plugs/wires, fuel pump relay, or the fuel pump itself. I don't know if problems with these components would be intermittent. Thanks for anymore help you can give, because I am ready to solve is problem once and for all.
AnswerIf the engine hasn't had a tune up in a while it may be time to do it, replace the spark plugs and the high tension leads, the fuel pump will normally go out completely and not be intermittent so give that a try, the only other thing that comes to mind is that there may be a restriction in the fuel tank at the pickup screen or the pump doesn't hold residual pressure, the only way to check this is to have a fuel pressure gauge connected to read the fuel pressure when the problem occurs.
