95 Camry LE idle speed low/unstable when starting

[Xiaoyong]

Recently when I start my 95 Camry LE, the engine cranks to about 500 - 600 rpm then dies, sometimes unstablely runs at 200 - 300 rpm idle. So every time I have to press the gas pedal to bring speed to about 2000 rpm for about 2 seconds. After I release the gas pedal the engine runs stablely at about 800 rpm idle speed. This happens only at starting (cold or warm), otherwise the engine runs well.

Please help me to identify the problem. Thanks.

[qwerty4321]

read my 1994 toyota camry xle problem, i think that would be helpful

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul....php?p=3383807

[Toysrme]

Yep. Start by cleaning the IAC, and everything else on the upper intake for that matter.

[Xiaoyong]

Thank all from this forum that provided information. I took out the throttle body and then the IAC valve. This is a 3-way valve that allows air taken from the port at upper stream of the throttle to bypass the throttle or to flow to the power steering idle control valve (through P/S hose). The valve shaft can be actuated to rotate about 20 degrees from fully close to fully open. There was black carbon deposit in the passages. I used alcohol to clean it and then put a little bit of engine oil on the shaft and let it flow through the bearings. Also I cleaned up the throttle body. Before I put them back to my car, I did a quick test of the valve and the throttle position sensor according to the user manual. The engine now idles perfectly, from cold, or warm, with or without auxilliary lloads.

The manual I downloaded from the post at the top of this forum is very handy. The four phillip screws that hold the IAC valve in place are very tight, just like other screws from Japanese cars. I almost destoyed 2 of them. Make sure you have the right screw driver and use a vice to hold the throttle body if you have one.

Originally Posted by qwerty4321

read my 1994 toyota camry xle problem, i think that would be helpful

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul....php?p=3383807

[Toysrme]

Good deal. =)


Excluding ew drive-by-wire cars, do this once every few years on every car you own with an EGR valve & an idle valve. Eventually, it happens to all of them.