I have a `88 Camry, 4 cyl that I have to crank for 5-10 seconds before starting. Been like this since I bought it, afraid starter is not going to hold up. Rus great otherwise. Any ideas?

First, check the usual tuneup items. (plugs, wires, distributor cap, distributor rotor and the coil inside the distributor.) Also check the air filter and clean the throttle body. Next, check the "cold start time switch" with a DVM for being in spec. It's purpose is to activate the extra injector in the intake plenum to facilitate cold starting. You will need a Chiltons or a Haynes manual for the specs. If you are standing in front of the engine, it is to the right of the engine block in a metal coolant port. There are 2 plastic connectors on the port. The one under the brown colored connector is the "cold start time switch". (The one under the green connector is the ECT-engine coolant temperature sensor".) The part is around $100 and is only available from the dealer. It's a quick replacement, once you have determined it is defective.

Mike

First, check the usual tuneup items. (plugs, wires, distributor cap, distributor rotor and the coil inside the distributor.) Also check the air filter and clean the throttle body. Next, check the "cold start time switch" with a DVM for being in spec. It's purpose is to activate the extra injector in the intake plenum to facilitate cold starting. You will need a Chiltons or a Haynes manual for the specs. If you are standing in front of the engine, it is to the right of the engine block in a metal coolant port. There are 2 plastic connectors on the port. The one under the brown colored connector is the "cold start time switch". (The one under the green connector is the ECT-engine coolant temperature sensor".) The part is around $100 and is only available from the dealer. It's a quick replacement, once you have determined it is defective.

Mike

Thanks, I`ll pick one up from junkyard and give it a shot, would have never known that.

Thanks, I`ll pick one up from junkyard and give it a shot, would have never known that.


You're welcome.

Just take your DVM with you to the junkyard and check that the one you find is in spec. They have a tendancy to go with age.

Here's another post from another forum with someone with the exact same problem. It has a good picture of the cold start time switch:

http://toyotanation.com/forum/t105266.html

Mike

You're welcome.

Just take your DVM with you to the junkyard and check that the one you find is in spec. They have a tendancy to go with age.

Here's another post from another forum with someone with the exact same problem. It has a good picture of the cold start time switch:

http://toyotanation.com/forum/t105266.html

Mike

Thanks, Mike, it was the cold start switch! Works great now, starting. I`m having a bit of trouble with the idle now, it got really cold, seems to stay in fast idle when shifting sometimes, changed thermostat, didn`t have much heat, hotter than hell now, did not help. Could the engine temperature sensor be doing that? Got that one too while I was at the junkyard.
thanks again, would not have figured out that one from the book, Greg

It could be the engine coolant temperature sensor (Toyota calls it the ECT sensor). Like the cold start time switch, get the spec and check it with a DVM. Coolant temp sensors are pretty cheap. You can get an aftermarket one for $30-$40, so consider that if it checks out bad.

Another thought on the high idle when shifting. Have you ever cleaned out the throttle body? It could be sticking when you take your foot off the gas pedal. If it hasn't been cleaned, clean it. It's a pretty easy thing to do. Do a search for "throttle body cleaning". Make sure you clean the insides of the throttle body itself and also the back side of the throttle valve. You will need a second person to hold the pedal to the floor (with the engine off) so you can clean the back side of the throttle valve.

Mike