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beakylynne · Aug 26, 2011, 10:53 AM

My Camry died while I was driving down the interstate. There was no warning at all. I went to accelerate a little and the tach was at zero and I was losing speed. No engine lights came on or anything. I checked the oil, battery and radiator and all looks okay. Everything charges fine so its not the altenator. No overheating either. I don't know how to check anything else, but if someone could tell me how to check something then I could do it. I can't afford a mechanic or get my car to a shop.
It will crank normally like it does when I start it, but it won't catch and start up. Does anyone know what the problem could be and how I would check it myself?

Thanks in advance!

TxGreaseMonkey · Aug 26, 2011, 11:41 AM

. Ensure the timing belt did not break. Remove the oil filler cap, have someone crank the starter motor, and verify the camshaft rotates.

. Test all under hood and under dash fuses with a test light or multimeter--be very thorough, since it can save a lot of time and money.

. Test for spark, if the timing belt and fuses are fine. If none, or it's weak, focus on the coil. Consider replacing it, along with the condenser. Should the problem persist, consider replacing the Ignition Control Module (ICM). Coils and ICMs are problematic components--it's best to replace them every 120,000 miles or 10 years, whichever comes first. Disconnect the negative battery cable, prior to working on the ignition system.

odinn7 · Aug 26, 2011, 11:59 AM

Is it getting fuel? Along with what TxGreaseMonkey suggested, you would also want to make sure it is getting fuel if the other tests show that you have spark and the timing belt isn't broken.

beakylynne · Aug 29, 2011, 10:52 AM

TxGreaseMonkey,
Thank you for responding. I will check those items, but how do I check to see if my sprak plugs are getting a spark?

TxGreaseMonkey · Aug 29, 2011, 04:50 PM

Remove a spark plug wire, attach it to an old plug, ground the threaded end of the plug, and crank the engine. Look for a healthy blue spark.

beakylynne · Aug 31, 2011, 10:02 AM

TxGreaseMonkey: So far I have only had time to check my spark plugs and I do not get a spark. What do I do now? Sorry, I'm fairly clueless about working on engines. LOL.

TxGreaseMonkey · Aug 31, 2011, 10:17 AM

If the timing belt is fine, replace the coil. Should the problem persist, replace the Ignition Control Module (ICM). Hopefully, you checked all under dash and under hood fuses with a test light or multimeter.