i am posting for my cousin who has a 1997 camry, and it is difficult to start, im thinking there is a problem with the IAC.

Here is what happens:

turn the key, and it wont start.
its not the starter becasue that was just replaced.
in order to start the car you have to hold the gas at about 5K rpms then it will start.
once it has started, you have to keep the revs up that high for about 5 seconds, after that it willrun and idle correctly.

is it the IAC?
any ideas what it can be?
things i can check to sort out the problem?

any help will be greatly appreciated.

 

Yes, check the IAC. Might try to clean it.

A google search will turn up hits on cleaning the valve.

 

if its the v6 for sure the throttle body/valve idle air intake all need to be cleaned out with TB cleaner. be generous and let it all air out. you'll have to give it a bit of gas before you can successfully start it up so dont just keep cranking w/out giving it abot 25-50% throttle. once it starts up u can gently let up off the gas and it will idle by itself.