Camry 1994 - Starting problems (cold weather)?

Just bought a 1994 Camry Station Wagon, 84,000 km (53,000 miles) in very good condition. The two pre-owners used to keep car in garage inside the house, I keep the Camry out on the street.

Currently, I am experiencing the following problem: When it is cold outside (this is 20 to 25 degrees F), the car would not start the other morning. Everything inside the car is working (i.e. lights, radio, fan, sunroof etc.), a sign that battery is in good shape. Before buying the car, the owner replaced all the expendable parts you can imagine. Once it is getting warmer, the car would start perfectly well.

In the Consumer Guide I read the following about starting problems in the trouble spots section (referring to the 1992-1996 Camry series): "Hard starting: Hard starting after cold soak is due to ignition-coil voltage leaking to an inappropriate ground." All models, not a specific year.

On this thread I just found a comment posted on Jan. 31, 2004 by "yotatechie04", saying that - obviously - a similar problem occured to him on a 1999 model, and he found it had to do with "oil density".

Question: Is hard starting - for example after a cold night - a well known problem to 1994 model? What about the hint regarding "ignition-coil voltage leaking" and "oil density". What can be done?

Is there any other way to overcome the problem long-lastingly except renting a garage?

Thanks for your answers. Harald

Not sure about your 94 but my 95 had the same problem until I fixed the IAC valve.
Do a search of this forum on IAC or directly to :

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/search.php?searchid=228644

I would also not use 10W30 oil in 25 degrees, 5W30 is thinnner
and probably would give you an easier start.

hope this helps...,

Known problems with the ignition coil exist, but the ones I've encountered in the early stages provide good driveability and start to break down to the point of misfire and ultimately a no start due to lack of fire after the engine is hot.

You might consider the basics such as worn plugs and wires. I believe the wires and distributor cap are usually sold as an assembly for around $40.

The coolant temperature sensor may not be providing an accurate signal for the computer to widen the injector pulse width and modify the idle air control for cold operation.

Please post what happens when your try to start the engine. Does it crank slowly? Not at all? Does it catch and die? What sounds do you hear? No sound at all? Give us more details please.

Heraldhu,

I live in the Chicago area where it get's pretty darn cold during the Winter. I think -10 F was the coldest this Winter. I have 2 Camrys, a 94 and a 98, and having been using 10W-30 oil in them for 10 years with no starting problems. I previously had an 86 Camry and used 10W-40 in that one with no cold weather starting problems ever after 12 years of service. I really don't think the 10W-30 oil is your problem. However, like Brian R said, we need to know more details.

Mike

hey, are you hearing a clicking sound when you turn the key, that would probably be starter, is it cranking and not firing , are you hearing a rapid click, need more info, could also be bad connection at the battery terminals, corrosion could cause problem, not necessarily only in cold, but could be bad timing, let me know

Brian and Fredbros:

When I try to start the engine - no crank at all! So it doesn´t catch either. Furthermore, I do not hear any sound. The only thing I do hear is a relatively quiet singular "click" somewhere (in the motor block?). That´s it. Upon repeating the starter, again I am hearing this click. And so on.

Harald

See discussion here about starter contacts:
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=166387

It is not an ignition coil or oil viscosity problem since either of these would show up as cranking, but not starting.

Thanks for the link - I will read that stuff carefully.

However, one questions comes to my mind already right now: If the problem I am facing had something to do with starter contacts, how come that everything is fine during periods of warmer temperatures whilst the motor is unable to start during periods of colder environments?

However, one questions comes to my mind already right now: If the problem I am facing had something to do with starter contacts, how come that everything is fine during periods of warmer temperatures whilst the motor is unable to start during periods of colder environments?

I don't have the answer to that, but not starting in cold weather when the engine is cold is one of the symptoms of having bad solenoid contacts. When they are warm, for example parked for an hour or less after having been driven, the car starts easily. When cold, no response until you have tried numerous times. Then it magically fixes itself, at least until you let the engine get cold overnight again. This is a known problem with this engine (and some other Toyota engines).

You can test this by waiting until the car won't start one day and then, instead of trying to start it again, open the hood and tapping the solenoid with a plastic-head hammer or a small steel hammer. Many times this will fix the problem, temporarily. I guess the contacts stick.

Haraldhu,

You bring up and interesting point about the temp. It is possible that the colder temperatures are affecting your battery internally. You might consider having the battery tested using a capacitance type tester as opposed to the traditional load type. They're pretty darn accurate as a rule. This type tester measures resistance inside the battery.

Some batteries don't work when you first try them for the day or after sitting for a while. Others don't perform after you have driven the vehicle for a while. The capacitance tester is designed to deal with these type of situations plus the ability to test a dead battery to see if it will work properly after charging.

Many places such as Autozone and Advance now provide battery testing free of charge.

Just a thought.

Sounds like the starter is going bad. Could it be that when it is cold the starter contacts have a harder time connecting but when it is warmer the contacts have an easier time getting juiced up.

I had my 90 corolla doing this and in order to get it to start I would have to click the ignition on and off very quickly a few times to try and rotate the ignition to a good contact. After a few times the engine would start. In warmer weather this was not a big issue.

I found the answer to my no strat issue with my 94 LE in the thread "1993 Camry LE Won't Start!!! " I put mine in neutral and sure enough it started. It si the neutral safety switch. Try it on yours.

bill

Usually the neutral safety switch is not a temperature-dependent problem as Haraldhu has.

I wonder how Haraldhu ever made out on his starting problems. He droped out of this thread back in early March?

Thanks for the link - I will read that stuff carefully.

However, one questions comes to my mind already right now: If the problem I am facing had something to do with starter contacts, how come that everything is fine during periods of warmer temperatures whilst the motor is unable to start during periods of colder environments?

Actually, I have a possible answer to this question. This type of behavior would be noticed if some oil vapor from the engine gets around the contacts. When the weather is cold, the oil is more viscous and may prevent the contacts from sliding easily against the other contact point. That would explain why tapping the starter or solenoid fixes the contact problem temporarily, and why it is intermittent. When the engine is hot, the oil would be much thinner and permit the contacts to slide easily.

If this is the case, you should be able to fix the contacts simply by cleaning them and their mounting point with carbeurator cleaner. I hope someone has a chance to test this.

I have a 94 Camry.. same challenge.

car won't turn over for me.. sounds like it's not getting fuel.

engine turns.. but won't catch.. only since we had this 0 degree weather.. on other cold morning.. below 20 let's say.. the first crank of the key and almost a grinding sound.. second turn and it turns on fine..

now.. it just won't turn over .. I suspect fuel pump or fuel line.. I don't know..

Any suggestions.. I suspect the weather is the culprit.

thanks in advance.

If you can't turn the engine over, it's most likely your battery. Check your connections are tight and if they are, replace the battery it if it's more than a couple years old.

If it still doesn't start if you have cranking, see if you have a really hot spark at the plugs. If not, replace your ignition coil. If you have a really hot spark when you crank the engine, report back.