My 1999 Camry 4 cylinder will intermittently just shut down. It happens after a short drive, sometimes a long drive, basically randomly. It is characterized by a fluctuating low idle and then shut down. The car can always be restarted by cranking a little longer than usual and giving a little extra gas. There is no check engine light. The engine has been replaced on this car and the problem existed before and after the rebuilt engine was installed.
I don't even know where to start troubleshooting this problem. Any help or ideas would greatly be appreciated.

 

Sounds like a lack of fuel and or air. Could be a clogged injector maybe the pump is about to go? Sensors would be a good start but considering theres no cel light it might not be of much help. Maybe your timing the list could go on. Just cause theres no cel light it doesnt mean there isnt a problem that couldnt be picked up by other methods of computerized tools. A good start would be sure your plugs and wires are in good shape and or coils. Timing is correct intake and combustion chambers are clean. Be sure that fuel is coming out of the injectors.

Id personally start by checking for vacum leaks!
Good luck

 

arpeem, when it stalls does it stall at idle or at speed? Does it happen only when engine is hot? After it stalls and on the immediate restart does it idle/run OK? When you give it a little extra gas what are you doing, pumping the pedal or holding it down? Does this happen both wet weather/dry weather?

 

It feels like it will stall at speed but doesn't and then will subsequently stall at idle. Usually the engine is hot . On the immediate restart it takes a couple of gas pumping (not to the floor) to stabilize. It is independent of weather.
Someone has told me they had a similiar problem and it ended up being battery cables to the starter or ignition.?? They did not know which.

 

When you put the rebuilt in did that include all the accessories from the replacement or did you use the accessories from your old engine? By accessories I mean intake, emissions, alt.,etc.?

 

meh i've got a thing you probably should try. fairly in expensive and easy to do. get a can of throttle body/choke cleaner. remove the intake hose from the throttle body, spray liberally into the idle air intake area, and then also open up the butterfly valve on the throttle body and spray liberally in side of it. i'd use at least half a can of that stuff. you'll probably see a good amount of brown/black crap pouring out so you may want a towel or at least put something under your car to absorb the fluids. the idle air should be a hole before the butterfly valve opening. just spray it down there for a bit.
it wouldnt hurt if you used the whole darn can either or do 2 treatments with half a can each time.

let it all air out for 10-30 minutes. replace the hose, and crank and crank and crank and crank, while maybe giving it 1/3 throttle till she starts up. shes gunna smoke for a bit outta the tailpipe but then things should be clear and you should be on ur way to a smoother idle and better mpg.

 

I had a similar problem. My 99 camry stalled while idling at Traffic lights. Initially it used to happen exactly 20 minutes from the time I start the car in the morning. Once it stalled, I was able to start it immediately and so I just ignored it.

Then it started happening more freuently. Looked in the forums and zeroed in on the Coolant Temperature Sensor. Took it to the Toyota dealers and asked them about the Coolant temp sensor, that a-ho said he never heard of such a thing. he wanted to get a diagnosis done so that they can fleece some money. did not fall for that.

bought a Coolant btemp sensor in Autozone for 25 and a friend helped me install it. After seeing him put it in, I could have done it myself. its an easy job. only thing is you have to drain the coolant.
after installing it, haven't seen the issue. Also the idling which used to be rough is a lot smoother.
It has been 2 days. Hopefully this is the fix.