My mom's car - Toyota Camry 2000 LE auto [edit] 4 cylinder - 176K. It runs well most of the time but has developed a 'stutter' or hesitation when in 'D' when idling at the light for example. You can feel the stutter/miss when driving occasionally but it's most evident when you're waiting for the light to change... it misses, shakes, the idle speed drops and jumps back up. Not sure if it's a transmission issue, electrical, or fuel issue. I have not observed it in any other setting except in 'D' - transmission?!

I've done some research on the Toyota forum and they suggested I clean the butterfly valve in the throttle body - which I did - cleaned it well with Sea Foam cleaner. I've also poured a whole can of Sea Foam Green into the tank to eliminate any water that may be in there. Not much changed.

Had ODBII code readings in the parking lot of the Advance Auto Parts - it didn't show anything. Maybe we need to drive around witht he code reader hooked up and try to replicate the symptoms.

Any advice from you gurus out there on what to try next?! I supposed I should just take it to the Toyota dealer for a solid diagnosis but I want to know in general what it might be so they don't snow me and overcharge me to boot.

Thx,
James

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1987 Mercedes 300SDL; SOLD
1985 Mercedes 300D; SOLD
2006 Honda Pilot - wife's ride; 122K;
1995 Toyota Land Cruiser - 3X locked; 182K

I would start with a good tune up - last time the filters (including fuel filter) were changed? Spark plugs? Wires? Check for leaks on both the intake and precat exhaust too. Cleaning the TB butterfly is a good start.

__________________
TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth

How do I check that - just with my hand or can the Mighty Vac be used somehow?

__________________
1987 Mercedes 300SDL; SOLD
1985 Mercedes 300D; SOLD
2006 Honda Pilot - wife's ride; 122K;
1995 Toyota Land Cruiser - 3X locked; 182K

Why do you have trouble shooting?

__________________
You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows - Robert A. Zimmerman

Those symptoms sound like a clogged fuel filter. I would replace that and I bet that will fix the problem.

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Ben
1987 190d 2.5Turbo

Visually inspect the exhaust manifold for cracks, and if it sounds kind of like a lawnmower (puffing) it may be leaking. However if this is the case I imagine the O2 sensor would throw a code so it shouldn't be first on the list. My first thought was the fuel filter, perhaps the coil(s) but that would likely throw a code as well.

__________________
TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth

My wife's Camry had the same exact symptoms.
I did a full tune up on it, Air filter, fuel filter, spark plugs etc... it got better but didn't totally go away.
Last month it got real bad all of a sudden. it eventually shut down and wouldn't start. It took a new ignition module and distributor cap to get it running again. The modules are expensive, around $100. Just telling you now so you don't go into shock at the parts store.

I would suggest a new distributor cap right away. And while your there you can bring in the ignition module and have it tested.
It's mounted on the left fender just behind the coil if I'm not mistaken. You can ask to see a picture of it at the store, it's not hard to identify. It's held in by 2 phillips head screws. You can take it out in the parking lot. You will have to pry it out a little to get to one of the screws.

Do the other maintenance stuff too and don't drive too far from home.
The great thing about these cars is everything is under the hood. Took about 10 minutes to Pop a new fuel filter in.

Good luck

Danny

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1984 300SD Turbo Diesel 150,000 miles

OBK member #23

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Good stuff - thanks all.

__________________
1987 Mercedes 300SDL; SOLD
1985 Mercedes 300D; SOLD
2006 Honda Pilot - wife's ride; 122K;
1995 Toyota Land Cruiser - 3X locked; 182K

TPS... A worn Throttle position sensor will certainly cause stumbling too. They can check it out at auto zone also. Unless you have a volt ohm meter with a sweep needle, you can check it yourself.

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"Our Lady of Blessed Acceleration...
don't Fail Us Now"

I didn't see if it has the 4-banger, or the V-6. My '94 has the 2.2L 4-banger, and this is a common issue with these engines. It's a dirty Idle Air Control Valve. It's nasty to take apart. You have to take off the throttle body, as this thingee is mounted to the bottom. Mine was full of gunk. It took most of an afternoon to take it apart, and clean it CAREFULLY with throttle body cleaner and Q-tips. Also pulled apart the solonoid, which is a real touchy-feely operation. But she idles alot better now. It used to hunt up and down in RPM, act like it was going to die, all kinds of silliness. that's because the valve was trying to control the by-pass air volume with all the crap in side of it I guess.
But, if you have a diff engine, dunno. Try here:
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=424744
Everything you ever wanted to know about a Camry, but was a afraid to ask.

__________________
past MB rides:
'68 220D
'68 220D(another one)
'67 230
'84 SD
Current rides:
'06 Lexus RX330
'93 Ford F-250
'96 Corvette
'99 Polaris 700 RMK sled
2011 Polaris Assault
'86 Yamaha TT350(good 'ol thumper)

bingo. this is the exact issue i have with my 95 with a 4 cyl.it actually ran perfect but had an oil leak seeping from the front drivers side of the head so i pulled the head and replaced the head gasket.well you have to pull the intake off first and when i took it off i set it on the bench and it's a funky shape and kinda rolled over well it must have got some crap in the valve because it's never idled that good since.now it just kinda lopes,but on a rare occasion it will idle nice for 20-30 seconds or so.the kids been driving it so it's hard to get it to pull the valve and clean it out.

Rick - sorry, it's a 4 cylinder engine.

__________________
1987 Mercedes 300SDL; SOLD
1985 Mercedes 300D; SOLD
2006 Honda Pilot - wife's ride; 122K;
1995 Toyota Land Cruiser - 3X locked; 182K

Yep, that sounds about right. My old 260e had a similar issue and ICV fixed it. BTW, you are probably feeling it more with the car in drive simply because the engine is under load then (and, usually, at a lower rpm). Good luck!

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1992 300D 2.5T
1980 Euro 300D (sadly, sold)
1998 Jetta TDI, 132K "Rudy"
1974 Triumph TR6
1999 Saab 9-5 wagon (wife's)

New Cables, spark plugs and Techron are all on order from Amazon along with a new fuel filter from the local dealer - will do that first, since it needs it anyway... then I'll plan on taking a deeper dive. Perhaps investigate the Idle Air Control Valve... thx to all for the helpful suggestions.

James

__________________
1987 Mercedes 300SDL; SOLD
1985 Mercedes 300D; SOLD
2006 Honda Pilot - wife's ride; 122K;
1995 Toyota Land Cruiser - 3X locked; 182K

BTW, I also ended up putting on a new ignition coil. It'd miss cruising along once the engine warmed up. Had a crack in the insulation. Another rather common issue with these engines.

__________________
past MB rides:
'68 220D
'68 220D(another one)
'67 230
'84 SD
Current rides:
'06 Lexus RX330
'93 Ford F-250
'96 Corvette
'99 Polaris 700 RMK sled
2011 Polaris Assault
'86 Yamaha TT350(good 'ol thumper)