Car Won't Start
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 630
Likes: 1
From: Central PA
Car Won't Start
Hi everyone. Yesterday morning my 94 Toyota Camry 2.2 4 cyl died in the driveway as I was going to work. I was coasting down the driveway when it stalled and wouldn't restart. It cranks but won't start. I can only assume its a fuel or spark problem. I just don't know where to start. With my other vehicles I know you can hear the fuel pump humming when you turn the key on. But I never noticed if you can hear it on this car. Now that I listened for it I don't hear it. I do hear a click after a couple of seconds, but no humming sound. Besides that I don't know what to look for. I haven't had any problems or symptoms before this. The last thing I did to the car was replace the radiator a few days ago. That shouldn't be related to the problem though. Its about 25 deg outside so I'm in no rush to get out there even though its out about 250' down the driveway. I can drive around it, lol.
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Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 18,488
Likes: 22
From: The Big, Oregon
Probably a bad fuel pump or ice in the fuel lines. I had a vehicle do this to me, it would get about 1/4mile and then the ice would plug the pickup. It ran fine in the afternoons, though.
I also had a Dodge fuel pump fail on me a few weeks back during the first real cold snap here. A quick test is to thump the bottom of the tank and see if it'll start. If it does, drop the tank, clean it and put in a new fuel pump.
I also had a Dodge fuel pump fail on me a few weeks back during the first real cold snap here. A quick test is to thump the bottom of the tank and see if it'll start. If it does, drop the tank, clean it and put in a new fuel pump.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 29,941
Likes: 46
From: Drummonds, TN USA
One other note - on many japanese cars if the fuel level falls below a certain point there is a fuse that cuts out to prevent an in-tank fuel pump from causing an explosion.
At certain angles the fuel float could cause the system to trip if the tank is at all low.
On some others there's no fuse - but the fuel level is monitored directly by the engine control computer and it will not energise the fuel pump relay in such a condition.
You may be able to find a pump relay mounted in a box in the engine bay - if so you can listen while the key is turned to hear if it clicks. Those relays can also go bad, just like any other relay.
At certain angles the fuel float could cause the system to trip if the tank is at all low.
On some others there's no fuse - but the fuel level is monitored directly by the engine control computer and it will not energise the fuel pump relay in such a condition.
You may be able to find a pump relay mounted in a box in the engine bay - if so you can listen while the key is turned to hear if it clicks. Those relays can also go bad, just like any other relay.
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 630
Likes: 1
From: Central PA
I poked around a bit today. The fuel pump is accessible by lifting out the back seat. So I pulled the seat and again listened for the pump while starting. It sounds like it works. I hear a very slight humming and a couple of clicks. Then I pulled a spark plug and put a screwdriver up to it and go no spark while trying to start it. Did this with the coil wire too and got no spark. So maybe thats where my problem is. I checked all the fuses and they were good. I don't know how to check relays, just pulled them and took a look at them. BTW, my other 2 vehicles run fine, absolutely no issues in the cold - 98 Expedition, 99 Taurus
