onehappymadman

Hello,

I've got a 1996 camry, which lately has begun to stall maybe twice a
month, but always AFTER driving several miles, and ONLY when I'm
stopped at a stop-sign, making a left turn, etc. In the past this
would happen after a 40-70 mile trip, but it actually did this TWICE in
one day, on the way home after I went shopping for the
Day-After-Thanksgiving sales.

What seems to happen is the engine's RPM varies between 0 and 750 RPM.
Shifting into Neutral then tapping the accelerator seems to fix the
problem for the time being, but once I was doing a left turn, and the
engine quit (and so did the power steering). Good thing I had enough
momentum to complete the left turn. (!!)

I did add fuel injector treatment for awhile, but that didn't seem to
fix the problem. Replaced the PCV valve, blew out the EGR filter with
compressed air, changed the air filter. Looking at replacing the air
intake hose down the line - I put some duct tape around the hose where
it was cracking.

I'm certain others have had a similar problem, only I'm not sure where
to focus my investigation. EGR valve? Ignition system? Air intake
hose?

Also, I seem to get a "burning rubber" smell coming from under the hood
after driving awhile. Any ideas what this could be? I did have the
valve cover gasket replaced at Pep Boys a few months ago.

Mike

johngdole

You may have a vacuum leak. Check the cover gasket to see if it's
leaking oil (and vacuum), especially around irregular surfaces (bends
near cams, cut-outs, etc). Check to make sure all hoses are connected
and that the tech didn't forget to plug one back.

Your idle air control valve may be plugged up. It's a common problem
that causes the rpms to be low when the engine is warm and can shut off
your engine if you are not on the accelerator during idle as you
described. Do a web search to find out how to clean this.

mrdarrett

Is the "idle air control valve" the same as the "intake air control
valve"? Haynes mentions an Intake (but I can't seem to find an Idle
in the Haynes) control valve.

onehappymadman

I forgot to mention, I've got a 4-cylinder engine. Does the idle air
control valve still exist for 4-cylinder engines, or only for the V6?

daniel

Check the spark plug wires or boots inside the spark plug tubes.
They can short to ground where you don't see them but may smell burning
rubber.
If Pep Boys handles the wires they may not have been extra careful with
the old wires.
Rough handling of the wires can also cause missing.
Only use original equipment parts if you replace spark plug wires to
avoid problems later.

onehappymadman

Ok, I'll look into that. My dad replaced the spark plugs, but we
haven't changed the wires.

I did check under the hood in the darkened garage. No sparking/arcing
observed by the wires...

Thanks,

Mike

ransley@webtv.net (m

A dying after just getting warm then being ok after 15-45 minutes is
common of coil under the cap cars, my 91 has it, Oil leaks past the O
ring and water condenses, when heated it shorts the coil, solution now
is to clean the coil with electronic spray and alcohol. Later if it
returns a new O ring. Secondary shorts as in plug wires is common, I
changed my plugs and by accident ripped a plug boot and one cilinder
missfired under load only, Idle was fine, but car would not die. A coil
will make the car die. Plug shorts on my 91 cant be seen as plugs are
recessed apx 9" in the head. Aftermarket wires are usualy crap lasting
me 2-3 years. Or something totaly different. A coil issue is worst
after a rain or when humid, parked outside, but clears up after no more
then 1 hr sitting from engine heat drying out the distributor.

ransley@webtv.net (m

A dying after just getting warm then being ok after 15-45 minutes is
common of coil under the cap cars, my 91 has it, Oil leaks past the O
ring and water condenses, when heated it shorts the coil, solution now
is to clean the coil with electronic spray and alcohol. Later if it
returns a new O ring. Secondary shorts as in plug wires is common, I
changed my plugs and by accident ripped a plug boot and one cilinder
missfired under load only, Idle was fine, but car would not die. A coil
will make the car die. Plug shorts on my 91 cant be seen as plugs are
recessed apx 9" in the head. Aftermarket wires are usualy crap lasting
me 2-3 years. Or something totaly different. A coil issue is worst
after a rain or when humid, parked outside, but clears up after no more
then 1 hr sitting from engine heat drying out the distributor.