1999 4cyl. Trouble is this is an intermitent problem. On first start in the morning 55* ambient, turn the key and it fires right up as usual. Then it dies right out. Tried turning things off and starting fresh... same thing. You can force it to run by using the throttle, but the power accesories like PS and brakes are underpowered. Then after a few minutes like magic everything comes back to life. This has happened about once a month for a while. Any help would be greatly appreciated. BTW no MIL.

 

What does underpowered mean? When forcing it run what is the engine RPM?

Might be the IAC valve is sticking.

An internet search will turn up hits on this valve and how to clean it.

 

By "underpowered" I am referring to the feeling of a Powersteering pump or brake master cyl. that don't have the power assist that you would expect from a running motor. The Idle air control valve is doing its thing well when the rest of the electronics are properly working so I don't think that is the problem. Its almost like the car is running on pure mechanical mode (minus the ECU). The rpm will be wherever I manually put it with my foot, but to get it to idle I need to hold about 1/4 throttle.

 

If your 99 has an EGR valve then that sticking open can cause the engine to stall at idle. When the EGR is open at idle it induces a large vacuum leak, which may explain the loss of power brake.

 

Yah, the thing has been so reliable that the emissions stuff has never been touched. I think it's time to do a little digging. I have taken my Miata apart and put it back together more than once, but my wife's Camry is all new to me. The vacuum loss makes sense both from an idle and brake assist standpoint. I'll let you know.

 

The AutoZone website may have repair data in the sites vehicle repair section.

EGR cleaning on this engine is common, thus try an internet search.

 

Thanks, guess it's time to buy a Hane's manual.