Starting 1999 Camry 4-cyl

[Vikas]

I have owned this car for last four years but only recently became the primary driver. Compared to my other cars, this always have needed longer cranks before it starts.

The usual trick of giving the ignition and counting to ten second does not make appreciable difference. I just put the new battery. The starter itself does not feel like it is straining to start the vehicle. It feels as if the ignition does not happen until the engine has turned over few revolutions.

My other cars, Maxima and Odyssey start before completing the first revolution of the engine.

I have essentially convinced myself that all 1999 Camry 4-cyl are like that without really doing the necessary research. Please tell me what is your experience with that era of Camry 1997-2001(?)

It has now 175K on it and we bought it at 130K. New thermostat and new battery; air cleaner and NGK OEM plugs were done last year. Oil changes between 3K-5K and whatever my mechanics puts it in.

- Vikas

 

[zorobabel]

My previous car (99 Camry 5S-FE) sometimes spinned a bit longer before starting, especially on the first start of day. I wasn't too worried about it.

 

[2oldtommy]

Many cars in today's world are designed to delay ignition until the oil pump has had several revolutions to cause some oil to reach the vital points. I believe this is the condition you are refering to. If it cranks for 15 sec. you have a problem. If it cranks just enough for the oil to come to the bearings etc., it is doing the job it was designed to do. FWIW--Oldtommy

 

[Tegger]

Originally Posted By: Vikas
I have owned this car for last four years but only recently became the primary driver. Compared to my other cars, this always have needed longer cranks before it starts.


Toyota does not operate the fuel pump until the engine is turning. This is why you need to crank a little longer than you would on, say, your Honda. Honda operates the fuel pump when the key is first turned to "II" ("run"), well before the starter engages. I have no experience with Nissan, so I can't speak for that vehicle.

 

[zyxelenator]

Check and clean throttle body, Camrys are known to not fire up at all if there are some dirt.
P.S and MAF sensor while you mess with intake.

 

[zyxelenator]

Originally Posted By: Tegger
Originally Posted By: Vikas
I have owned this car for last four years but only recently became the primary driver. Compared to my other cars, this always have needed longer cranks before it starts.


Toyota does not operate the fuel pump until the engine is turning. This is why you need to crank a little longer than you would on, say, your Honda. Honda operates the fuel pump when the key is first turned to "II" ("run"), well before the starter engages. I have no experience with Nissan, so I can't speak for that vehicle.



You can hear fuel pump as soon as you turn your key to on position. On Altimas and Frontier for sure.

 

[artificialist]

Also replace your PCV valve. When you don't replace your PCV valve often enough, it acts as a vacuum leak, and allows false air past the MAF, which can make the car harder to start, due to inadequate fuel.

As for ignition, you said the plugs are new, but what about wires? Does your car use a distributor? If it does, you should know how old your cap and rotor are.

 

[Vikas]

I have not replaced the wires on it. They looked good. I do not think it has distributor/rotor either.

I clean the throttle body every year because otherwise it will start idling very bad and behaves as if idle air controller is stuck. This engine does not have MAF.

A funny incident; couple days ago when I walked to my car after a long day at work, the key would not work on the driver's door. I remember my son did have trouble opening the driver's door in the past. So just I walk to the other side and I put the key in the passenger's door. That too was not working. Now I am cursing. OK, looks like time to call the AAA; so I started walking back to my office as it was pretty cold. I took few steps and then suddenly see the other identical 99 Camry parked two spaces down! I remember that I have seen that car in the parking lot few times before. Imagine if AAA had came and unlocked the door for me

I should put a note on his windshield and ask him to start his car and see how it compares with mine.

- Vikas

 

[Tegger]

Originally Posted By: zyxelenator
You can hear fuel pump as soon as you turn your key to on position. On Altimas and Frontier for sure.

But not Toyota; Toyota does not do this. Toyota only operates the fuel pump when the engine is turning. Toyota does not "prime" the fuel rail before the starter engages.

 

[zyxelenator]

Tegger-you said you are not sure about Nissans.
Vikas - yeah I tried to open someones car too

Maybe time for fuel system cleaner/new fuel filter?

 

[Vikas]

You can never tell me to put fuel system cleaner; all my cars are overdosed with them

I should definitely change the PCV. It probably has never been changed before.

If Tegger says Toyota does not prime the fuel pump, then I suspect my fuel pressure regulator has a tiny leak which causes it to bleed off the pressure. I think I can distinguish between no-fuel vs no-ignition cranking and this feels like no-ignition cranking. It is possible that I am overestimating my own diagnostic ability I will take iPhone video and then upload it to youtube.

- Vikas

 

[Vikas]

 

[zyxelenator]

Watched your videos. I think my car starts the same way. Little more cranks when it's cold, and almost immediate start if it still warm/hot.

 

[ltslimjim]

I don't like that start-up knocking in either vid...

Just kidding. Sounds normal to me.

 

[Tegger]

Originally Posted By: zyxelenator
Tegger-you said you are not sure about Nissans.

Right. But that's of no consequence, since the vehicle in question is a Toyota, which I do know.

Originally Posted By: zyxelenator
Maybe time for fuel system cleaner/new fuel filter?

If it makes you feel good, go right ahead. But it will make no difference to crank-time.

 

[zyxelenator]

Originally Posted By: Tegger

Originally Posted By: zyxelenator
Maybe time for fuel system cleaner/new fuel filter?

If it makes you feel good, go right ahead. But it will make no difference to crank-time.


If injectors gummed up it will help. But he is fine, most gen 4 Camries start like that.

 

[The_Eric]

Originally Posted By: Vikas





Vikas, if those vids are of your car starting, then there is no cause for concern. That is completely normal.

 

[Vikas]

thank you guys! I appreciate the reassurance

 

[hypervish]

Normal. Don't worry about it.

 

[Vikas]

I looked at the circuit diagram and realized that fuel pump is started *only* after ECM gets both crankshaft position sensor and camshaft position sensor signals. Interestingly, if I watch the tachometer carefully, I can see that as soon as it moves, the car starts at that instant. The car does not have an external fuel pressure regulator near the intake but it is integrated with the in-tank fuel pump.

The crankshaft position sensor has 32 pulses for every crank revolution but camshaft has single pulse per camshaft revolution. If the ECM is waiting for the camshaft pulse, it is going to be waiting for a revolution or two before it can assert the fuel pump control relay.

Or could it be that one of the sensor is sluggish and does not produce signal for the initial revolution when it is cold? It definitely makes a difference whether it is a cold start or warm start. A scope on those signals and on fuel pump input would shed more light on this particular behavior.

I am just curious. I don't think I am going to do anything about it.