1993 Camry LE, 2.2 4-cylinder just won't start. Stumped...
 

Hi Folks,

I hope some of you with may have seen this before and have a solution for me. I've got a 93 Camry wagon, 135K, with the 4 cylinder automatic that won't start.

I have a new battery and can crank it endlessly. The motor will turn, but never fire up.

History:

• Starter seemed to be going bad. Sometimes I turn the key and nothing happens, or just a click. After several more tries, I can get the motor to budge a little bit. Then a few more tries and it will finally catch and start the car.
• Sometimes, when it finally does start, it really chugs and has a rough minute or so before it settles out.
  
• Last Friday, I had the same problem. Took a couple of key turns to get the starter to engage and start the car. Got home and parked.
• Saturday afternoon I went out to start the car and it just cranked and cranked.

What I've done so far:

• Spark Check. I have good spark on all 4 plugs.
• Replaced: Spark Plugs,
  Wires,
  Starter
• Inspected distributor cap and rotor.
• Verified that rotor turns when cranking (timing belt intact)
• Pried cover away and verified timing belt looks ok
• When cranking with plugs out, saw vapor, smelled gas (getting fuel)

Strangeness:
I shot starter fluid directly into the intake, and it had no effect at all. I would have expected the engine to run a few seconds on just that, but it didn't even sound different.

So, I'm stumped. Anything you think I've missed?

THANKS.

If a click when attempting to start and the starter and attached solenoid was replaced check the battery cable, terminals, battery cable ground, ground strap between engine and chassis.

Sometimes a few teeth will fail on the timing belt resulting in the belt moving on one of the pulleys. This causes the crank/cam shaft timing to be off.

A stuck open EGR valve can cause problems.

Any change in starting if you apply some gas?

A failing computer coolant temp sensor can cause problems.