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Toyota Camry: Problems & Solutions
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Something happened to me I'd like to share. A member of the "other" forum said this could help and I'm backing him up.
Recently, I killed the battery in my Sienna (my fault) and everything was drained. In doing so, I think the Car's ECU was completely erased. The car was jump started and everything was fine.
Now, beginning, my throttle was mush. You press the first area of the pedal = nothing. Now, after the battery was drained and everything reset, I can now tap the pedal ever so slightly and the engine responds immediately. I don't need to press it down more for it to start but now just tapping it makes it move.
This happened out of an accident and the hesitation was not much of a problem but now the throttle feel is fantastic. I feel like I can manage it now.
The other member didn't drain the battery but disconnected it via negative terminal and let it like that for about 5 mins (I was stuck with no battery for about an hour). He then reconnected it and started the car but strongly noted that you don't touch the throttle at all. DO NOT TOUCH IT WHILE YOU START THE CAR.
Go for a regular drive. See if everything is better. Curiously enough, like I mentioned, my throttle is very responsive and not dead like before.
And I'd like to note that the tranny itself is perfectly fine. It's the poorly done throttle causing a problem.
I'm so frustrated with this car, I'll try anything! Everything about this Camry is strange! The throttle feels funny, the jerky transmission... and just recently, my car has developed a "thumping" sound when I accelerate from a stop.
I give up. This new Camry SE is the worst car I have ever owned. All the other Toyotas I had in the past were made in Japan, using all Japanese parts, and assembled by Japanese workers. I never had one problem or complaint with those cars.
And now I found out that the jerky transmission/throttle problem is also common in other Toyota models... and the Lexus too???
I am very disappointed with my new Camry SE. I read every auto magazine before purchasing this car. NOT ONE mentioned the jerky transmission in their reviews of the Camry.
Edmunds never mentioned it.
Something is wrong here.........
But don't forget to initialize the AUTO driver window and moonroof when everything is done.
I hope this helps. I know there are some with more hesitation than mine.
I recently bought a used Camry 2001 V6 top of the range model. The seller didnt give me the original keys. He gave me the keys which was flat(the original will have the remote or the rubberised head - hope Im right). Since this is a top of the range model, Im sure this must have a keyless entry option. How do I find out if the option is there? And if there is - how do I activate the keyless entry?
Pls advice.
Now I don't know what happens when the battery eventually dies due to old age.
Deke
Kiera Criss Hidden Hitch Customer Service"
From what I have seen, I believe it will work. Thanks again for the info.
Does anyone have contact information for Toyota Corporate where you can file a complaint? I can't find it on their website.
I own a 1993 Toyota Camry I4 that I bought 11 years ago. Its a great little car, I managed to put 114,000 miles on it without much problems. Other than the brakes, power window and minor blue smoke from the tail pipes (which began @ around 40,000 mi) it has been pretty reliable as most Toyotas are.
Recently, I noticed that the car will occassionally fail to start. I just put in a brand new battery last winter and the timing belt is also less than 2 years old. I believe within the last 6 months, it happened 4-5 times. Usually I would wait a little, make sure the shifter is on Parking and retry several times. Today it happened again, I tried all my old tricks and it still did not work. So I tried pumping the gas a little and simultaneously turning the key and it started!!! Do you guys have any suggestions to what the problem may be? Is this a early warning sign that my transmission may be on its way out? Thanks!
Thanks
NIKI1
Did you notice this hesitation problem when you took your new Camry for a test drive? Sure sounds like these cars have many problems. Should I rethink my choice for a new car??? Your thoughts.
Thanks for the quick response. NIKI1
My dashboard looked fine when I picked it up, but they think that whoever cleaned the (fake) wood used a cleaner that might have ruined the material/coloring on the dash--I have an appointment Friday to see if they'll fix/replace the dashboard (I have about 2000 miles so far).
With 100% highway miles, I'm only getting like 26mpg, and that's driving like a grandpa, so I'm pretty unhappy about that, I expected 30 easily (had I known gas mileage would be this bad, I'd have gotten the 6 cylinder just for more fun).
The road noise in the city is great, very, very quiet. However, on a grooved highway that is common in Wisconsin to keep the roads less slippery in winter, the tires are almost deafeningly loud...unfortunately I didn't test drive on the highway that I drive on all the time :-(
The 6 disc stereo's speakers are very inadequate on the highway, I have to crank it to hear over the loud tires, but it still sounds bad, oh well, live and learn I guess.
Overall, I like the car, but from Toyota, I expected flawless and this isn't it. On the bright side, I love the dealership so far, but the next few weeks will determine if I buy from the dealer again or even another Toyota. I would still recommend this car, but I don't think I'll personally ever buy a car during winter again, as it was too difficult to tell what was weather related versus car. The other car I considered was a Passat, but they're pricier and I was very afraid of the many expensive problems that they seem to have out of warranty.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Thanks for all the info!!! I'll be taking a LONG test drive before I fork over all that cash!! I just purchased a new 2004 Passat with my son, and we just LOVE that car!! No problems except when he puts it in the garage we notice a strong oil smell, but no leaks can be found. Looks like we will be calling the dealership soon. Thanks again for all the info, and I'm sorry to hear you are having so many problems with your new ride.
NIKI1
here is a link and quote from auto123
http://www.auto123.com/en/info/news/roadtest,view,Toyota.spy?arti- d=29804&pg=2
"Kick-downs are a little slower though and taking off from a nearly stopped position causes some undesired hesitation." (V6 SE)
Some people claim that by disconnecting the battery for 5 mins or so and then reconnect, the hesitation will be gone!
I am not a mechanic by any means.
Got car back and it seemed to be OK but sluggish (i.e. pick up in acceleration was not what it was before). Brought it back and the mechanic showed me a couple of things 1)said slack in transmission cable was cause and 2) cracked air flow hose. Also he said he made some sort of adjustment to the timing. Showed me timing light and something about it being stable proving proper instatllation.
I notice the car is noiser than usual though it is more peppy. He did make some sort of adjustment to the ignition timing. I am not a mechanic but could he have altered the timing to compensate for improper installation of the belt? Can someone explain ignition timing versus valve timing to me? What damage might this cause, if any? Did I get a bad water pump? Getting noiser by the day seem like and this is about 200 miles after installation.
How can I check that installation was proper? Should I take it to another mechanic to get it double checked and what do I ask for?
The reason I ask is because I'm only getting like 26mpg actual, but the computer is telling me I'm averaging about 34mpg, which is way off (I reset the trip computer at each fill up).
I'll have to double check which tires I have, but I think they are the Michelins as well. Overall I still like the car a lot, I just want some of the quirks fixed. The two items driving me the most crazy are the splotchy dashboard (since I see it everytime I'm in the car) and the poor gas mileage, since like I said, had I known it would be under 28mpg, I would have gotten a loaded v6 :-)
i went 20 minutes to another dealers ship they jumped in and said oh well what do ya know the rack in the steering is shot have a rental, gotta love that crap
All I can say is wow! The car is much peppier, shifts better, and has less hesitation than before. It feels better than when first purchased. Call 1(800) GO-TOYOTA to ask for a copy of the TSB and bring it to your dealer. Don't take no for an answer. This is a factory warranty item an the repair is covered under the Federal Emissions Warranty. The warranty is in effect for 96 months or 80,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the vehiclce's in-service date. *Warranty application is limited to correction of a problem based upon a customer's specific complaint. Tell them you are experiencing "acceleration hesitation", "poor shift performance", and "engine surging during light throttle input at speeds at around 40 MPH". If they claim to have no knowledge, put a copy of the TSB under their noses.
So the mileage varies a lot depending on driving conditions. Our overall average is about 27 mpg, because the long trips are few and far between.
So 30.5 mpg is not bad, depending on how/where the car is driven.
The Brass Contacts within the Starter Solenoid are old and probably burnt.
You do have a few options:
The Dealer of course
You can replace the Old Starter with a New or Rebuilt one for about $160.00 + Core Charge or so, that's only if you can install it yourself.
Or you can take the old Starter Apart and replace the Brass Contacts within the Solenoid for about $7.00 plus Tax. (Available from the Toyota Dealer Only)
I found a Discount Auto Parts Store in my area that had a Rebuilt Starter with a Life-Time Warranty for only $65.95 + Tax
mrcool
I'm getting the same car as you two own the XLE 4 cyl. with moon roof, spoiler, side curtain air bags, alloy wheels, and the upgraded security system. The sticker price was $25,850 and the dealer invoice was $23,150. The best the dealership would do was $21,700 this included a $750 rebate. Is this a fair/good price?? Your response will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
NIKI1
Will do, and thanks for all the info. The dealership came to me with their first offer, and I asked for 500 more off and a spoiler. They agreed to the spoiler but no more monies off, so I took the deal. Not much haggling at all. Everybody walked away happy, with the exception of the GM, because he wanted me to take delivery of the vehicle that night, but I could not do that until we sold our current car. This will be in done a few days. I'll let you know.
Thanks Again
NIKI1
Should I get a second opinion?
what would most likely cause this?
also it is starting to smoke. this is the cause most likely?
PLease let us know what you have decided and what the color of your Camry is. Congratulations on your car. My car has the mineral green color.
No leather, and I'm paying cash. The color is white. I'll let you know when i get the car.
NIKI1
I'm concerned the car may have been damaged...
Thanks
If you can be more specific, I will look at my '05 SE and let you know tomorrow.
Also, please let us know if your daughter's new Camry develops the annoying hesitation-jerk-lurch problem. Thanks, and good luck with the new car.
It doesn't happen every time I park, but I am now aware that I need to keep my foot firmly planted on brake... and make sure I don't park too close to the vehicle in front of me. It also lurches when putting the transmission into reverse, mostly when it's cold.
Two other Camry owners that I met, have confirmed this same problem. The adventure continues.........
Thanks, Toyota.
(Tomorrow, I am going to try to remedy the hesitation flaw. I will perform the "battery disconnect solution." Unhook the cables and let it sit for awhile. Can't hurt to try.)
and if anyone knows where I could get a replacement driver side seat belt that would be greeat.
Thanks