1997 Toyota Camry: check engine light

Filed Sep 19, 2007 · Brakes, Engine · 39,000 miles · NY

Tl*the contact owns a 1997 toyota camry. The contact stated that the engine light has been illuminating intermittently since august of 2002. The vehicle was taken to the dealer three different times for this failure. On the most recent occurrence, the contact was informed that it would cost $5,000 to replace the engine. The engine light currently remains illuminated, however, the vehicle is still being driven. Speed was not a factor because the light illuminates as soon as the vehicle is started. The purchase date was unknown. The current mileage was 68,000 and failure mileage was 39,000. The front brakes were cracked and the rotors needed to be machined. The taillight bulb was replaced, the head gasket was leaking. The timing belt was replaced. Updated 10/10/07.

Filed Nov 5, 2005 · Engine, Steering · 87,000 miles · TX

Car : 97 toyota camry le 4 cylinder three major problems 1) blue smoke at cold-starting (mileage: 87 miles -aug. 2001) engine gave off blue smoke from the exhaust when cold-starting in the morning. After replacing valve stem seals (paid around $1000 to a toyota dealer for the repair), the problem was solved. 2) power steering rack & pinion leaking (mileage: 87kmiles -aug. 2001) power steering rack & pinion leaked and a mechanic replaced it with a new one. 3) egr vsv failure (mileage: 100 kmiles -oct. 2004) check engine light came on. Obd ii scanner says "insufficient egr flow." a mechanic replaced egr vsv and the problem was solved. 4) front strut mounts failure ((mileage: 87 kmiles -aug. 2001) both front strut mounts made noise. After a toyota dealer replaced it, the problem was solved.

Filed Jan 11, 2005 · Electrical · 101,000 miles · OH · fire

While driving 35 MPH a knocking noise came from the engine, then the engine light illuminated. The vehicle stalled, and a fire started under the hood. The vehicle was totaled, then towed. The dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

Filed Nov 29, 2004 · Engine · 140,400 miles · KY

The following is a complant that was sent to toyota motor co. It is not my wish to have to write under these circumstances. However I must, because of the things that have come to pass. My family has supported toyota, and ofcourse all own toyota due to the beautiful work and craftsmanship of toyota. However my toyota camry has made me to doubt the strong feeling I once had for my car. I turned my car over to toyota of louisville for service and the repair of oil sledging. I assume that the problem was fixed. However at the time I witnessed no symptoms. I simply did not want to wait until the problem occurred. So I had it serviced to avoid any problem. Later after having my timing belt replaced I started to witness a sluggish acceleration, and worsening gas mileage, the problem worsened. Eventually the check engine light flashed. And the oil light also. However it was right before the engine threw a rod on the interstate on the way home from college for thanksgiving break. I would like to have my car restored to the state it was in before the special servicing. I would like to continue to do business with your company; I plan on purchasing from toyota in the future. However this matter has placed me in salty waters, and as u can imagine that is not a very pleasant taste. I would like to hear something back from your office regarding this matter as soon as possible. Thank you for your time. Sincerely a faithful customer john r. Cummings jr.

Filed Jun 9, 2004 · CA

5incidents: 1) mildew odor from aircondition (brought car to check--date not available). The aircondition was replaced with either new or used part. *ak 2) went to reno (snowing) and the aircondition (hot/cold) did not defrost properly on the windshield. All fogged with no visibility. I sticked my head to the side window and drive very slowly & on a slow lane behind a huge truck--it was very dangerous and scary!!!!! 3) periodically, the left signal light flash too fast but by hitting the front side of the car it's went back to normal. 6) wheel alignment--always have problem with that too (at the moment cannot recall details). 5) on 6/9/04, my husband went to get a smog check. The car has about 15,000 miles bu it didn't passed the emission control systems visual inspection/functional check results. "malfunction indicator light--fail. This vehicle failed the mil/check engine light due to obd communications failure."--no signal. The car is hardly used and parked in garage. What should we do and how can you help? Thanks ;-)!!!

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Engine · 34,800 miles · WV

Exhaust blowing blue smoke, sludge buildup on valve covers, now check engine light is on, car vibrates. In shop again

Filed Feb 19, 2003 · Brakes · CT

The front brake rotors were worn, which caused the vehicle to experience extended stopping distance.also check engine light has been on since 45,000 miles.*jb

Filed Jul 1, 2002 · Engine · CA

On 4/16/01 engine check light came on. The dealer diagnosed problem on 4/19/01 and replaced air fuel ratio (afr) sensor. On 6/26/02 the check engine light came on. The dealer diagnosed problem on 6/29/02 and again replaced afr sensor. It cost over $700.00 to fix the problem. Are there problems with afr sensors? --- about may, 1999, the vehicle started producing visible exhaust smoke at start up. The problem continues today. The problem only occurs when starting a cold engine (when the vehicle has not run for few hours). Vehicle recently passed a smog check. The vehicle has been well maintained. Are there know problems with vehicle producing exhaust smoke when starting a cold engine? Is the exhaust smoke related to afr sensor failure?

Filed Sep 10, 2000 · Fuel system · CA · fire

I was accelerating on the freeway when the car shuddered and I saw smoke coming out of the hood. I was able to pull over quickly, released the hood and stepped out of the car thru the passenger side door. I opened the hood and saw the fuel injector was on fire so I immediately slammed shut the hood and called for help. Fortunately a motorcycle cop from the san diego police was at the scene just moments after it happened. He radioed for a fire truck which arrived about 15 minutes later as this happened during the rush hour (5:45 pm). The engine was completely engulfed in flames by then. Aaa has not determined yet if the car will be totalled but I'm pretty sure it will based on the extent of the visible damage. I had this car serviced by kearny mesa toyota about two months prior to this incident for a check engine light. They replaced the vacuum switch valve.

Filed Mar 21, 2000 · Engine · CA

Oxygen sensors failed causing the check engine light to illuminate.

Filed Oct 29, 1999 · Transmission · MN

As my car crested a small hill on 7-15-99, the engine revved to about 4000 RPM and there was no power. It was like the car had shifted into neutral. The "check engine" light came on. I tried shifting to 2nd gear and then back to drive which then worked. This happened again about two blocks later. I took the car to wilkins toyota the next day. They replaced a speed sensor. The car seemed ok but the same thing happened a few days later. I returned to wilkins toyota 7-21. They replaced another speed sensor, saying toyota had a defective lot. The same thing happened again a few weeks later. The "check engine" light came on but later went back off. Wilkins said the fault code would be stored anyway and bring it back. I did. They said there was no fault code and declined to do anything. At this time I contacted toyota customer service on the internet but never received a reply. The car was then ok for a while (I was out of town for about three weeks) until the same thing happened on 10-27. I took the car to wilkins toyota. They replaced yet another speed sensor which failed tonight after only 15 miles. This is dangerous. Two of the failures were on the freeway, including tonight's. I was unable to get the car into drive and had to use 2nd gear at igh rpms to keep up with traffic until I could exit. This is four bad sensors in 3 months and within 2500 miles. I believe something in the car is causing the failures because toyota couldn't have so many bad ones or no one's car would run. Can you help?