91 Camry just wont start

[Joey2619]

Heya guys, been having a problem with my 91 camry for the past 3 years, just havent gotten around to fixing it. Its got the 3S-FE engine or whatever, and it starts for a second or so then dies out with poor idle, so that leads me to believe its a bad ecu. Tried 3 different ECUs, original, one from a junkyard, and one pulled from the same year working camry, no avail, tried the MAF, no go, tried the distributor, no deal. Im almost to my limit with this car, but Im guessing there may be something thats not triggering the injectors. I disconnected the alarm, and I had a node light in one of the injector plugs, and it only received one pulse upon startup and that was it. Any ideas? ive got a parts car that has a hole in the block, so I can swap anything out, thanks!

[typesix]

If it starts up and then dies during cold start, it could be the Idle Air Control valve. It's supposed to make engine fast idle during cold start and could need cleaning. Coolant temp sensor is another item to check.

[Joey2619]

Could you possibly tell me where the IAC is located, Im assuming on the throttlebody, right?

[Mike Gerber]

Originally Posted by Joey2619

Could you possibly tell me where the IAC is located, Im assuming on the throttlebody, right?

Yes, it is. There is a square or diamond shaped passage to it on the bottom of the throttle body. Remove the large black ductwork and you will see it. You can first try squirting some throttle body cleaner or O2 sensor safe carb cleaner down into the passage to see if that helps the problem. Spray it liberally down there.

Mike

[RIP]

<Timing> Might want to put this on your list of things to check. If the timing belt has slipped your timing could be out to lunch creating your hard starting, rough idle and stalling. Have you read the Camry FAQs and Info thread at the top of the forum?