Car wont start, need expert advice.

Calling all mechanics out there... Just needed some two cents, Im not a mechanic, more of a DIY guy...

My grandma's car, a 1997 Camry wont start. The engine itself was rebuilt from top to bottom and has worked without fail for the last year. When I turn the ignition, the starter turns but the engine wont start... sometimes it will, and when it does, the car runs flawlessly.

What I think it is...

1. Maybe a wiring problem, the ECU and a relay box was already switched with no luck. Im assuming that maybe the wiring to the ignition is shorted thus causing intermittent failure to start.

why do i think this is?

a. when the car starts, the car sounds flooded for the first second probably from the first few tries to start without ignition.

the question is, if it was a wiring problem with the ignition, then why is it that when it has actually started, the ignition system works without any problems?

Help a brother out, I have already spent $3000 replacing part by part.

 

I'm going to put my money on the fuel pump relay. Just guessing, though.

 

If it was the fuel pump relay then wouldn't it have an intermittent problem as well after it has started? (The car runs symptom free after start)

 

Then perhaps an ignition switch?

 

Does it have an engine "flair" when it starts or does the idle stay low and it chugs a bit ??? Also if it won't start have you tried giving it a little gas and holding it?

Also does wet weather have an effect on it ???

 

Hi Mike!!!

You thinking IAC? Possible dirty MAF sensor? I have had a Scion TC with something similar and it was a dirty MAF Sensor.

 

Hi jay
Yea either that or a cracked coil.

 

I understand if you remove the gas cap and put ypur ear near the filler tube you should be able to hear the fuel pump with the ignition switch turned "ON" (and the engine "OFF" of course) I'd buy a new FP relay anyway.

Check for loose, burned or pinched engine wiring around hot engine parts especially around the EGR Valve. Good luck!

 

i thought about this, but then the ignition wouldn't be reliable after the car started, it would be on and off as well.

 

coil packs were both replaced, as well as the spark plug wires. no luck.

 

IAC was replaced, no luck. I will clean the MAF sensor but please elaborate on how it would prevent it from starting then once started, allow it to work normally as if it were a brand new car... thanks

 

i can try this.. any idea, ball park figure, on how much that relay would cost and where it is?

 

$25.

 

california barely has wet weather, so right now, no obvious effect. The engine has a low rpm, sounds as if its going to die then idles normally.. bit of sputtering. i tried to make a video of what is going on but it started fine, all ten times I tried. Its intermittent, maybe once out of 30 times -problem is that my grandma might be in the middle of nowhere, stuck up a creek with no paddle.. need to make it start 100% of the time, everytime.

giving it gas doesnt help, it only prolongs the sputtering once it has started thus my conclusion that it floods.

 

You have to understand you said 3 grand worth of parts replaced. Nothing of what was replaced. Jay and I have seen some common issues that would cause your symptoms so we are going through them. Maf sensor with a temp open circuit or short could cause this. Unfortunately the older vehicles don't have the ability to give you much info on a scan tool so old school diagnostics with a volt/ohm meter is necessary. First when it doesn't start you need to find out if you have spark. With what you describe as a flooded engine once started I am thinking ign related electrical. Like Steve's said your going to need to check your wiring. Especially check your grounds around the engine because the older cars hate a bad or broken ground. Once it it running slowly go around the engine wiring harness and wiggle and tug on the harness. Intermittent no starts are not fun.