Engine Quit on Hwy

[nichols45]

I have a 93 Camery LE 5SFE 2.2L I was driveing down the Hwy at 65 MPH and the engine just shut down. Now it will not start. I check the codes as got a DTC-24. I changed the battery out to see if the alt wasen't working and drained the battery but have the same problem. The engine turns over a several times and sounds like it wants to satrt but will not kick off. Any suggestions?

[Mike Gerber]

In my experience when a car quits suddenly while running, the 2 most common causes are a broken timing belt and a broken fuel pump. To check for a broken timing belt remove the distributor cap and have someone crank the engine over while you watch to see if the rotor is turning. If the rotor turns, the timing belt is still intack. If not you know you have a broken timing belt. To check for a bad fuel pump, remove the large tube leading to the throttle body. Spray some carb cleaner liberally in to the throttle body and reinstall the tube. Try to start the car. If the car now sputters and trys to start, you know the car was not previously getting fuel. Check the fuel filter, the fuel pump relay and then the fuel pump.

Mike

[dtownfb]

Since the engine suddenly stopped in the middle of driving, it's probably an ignition problem. Ignition issues can take longer to diagnose because the symptoms often point to a fuel related issue (fuel pump, FPR, fuel filter, etc.). I would think a bad fuel pump would sputter for a bit before the car died. I had ignition problems with my 2000 Olds Intrigue. Took me two months (and numerous stallings) to diagnose it as a bad ignition switch.

Here's a forum question from an owner of a 1993 Camry whose car has the exact problem that you are describing: sudden stalling, cranking but no starting. http://en.allexperts.com/q/Toyota-Re...y-ignition.htm

It points to a problem with the ignition module. Ignition issues will not throw a code, only emission/transmission issues. Your DTC-24 is an "Intake Air Temperature sensor signal".

Here's the full list of Toyota OBDI DTC codes: http://www.troublecodes.net/Toyota/

Good luck.

[Airjer_]

I'd check the timing belt as well.

[nichols45]

I checked the timing belt and it is still turning. Would a belt jump a notch or two to causethis problem? I will check the fuel pump next.

[Mike Gerber]

"Would a belt jump a notch or two to causethis problem?"

It's a possibility, but not one of the most common things to happen.

Mike

[jdmccright]

There's a third common cause, especially for this Gen Camry...dead ignition coil. They are housed inside of the distributor cap. Check and replace according to the sticky manuals at the top of this forum. Even if it checks out as barely good according to the specs, it isn't. Hope this helps!