# 1997 Toyota Camry - Off and on issues **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** toyota\ **Created:** [May 21, 2025, 9:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1997-toyota-camry-off-and-on-issues/200381 "2025-05-21T21:32:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Hank40](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/fbc32d/32.png) [@Hank40](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Hank40)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2025, 9:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1997-toyota-camry-off-and-on-issues/200381/1 "2025-05-21T21:32:42Z")
Car runs fine for days then rough. Check engine light comes on, flashes. Days later it’s running okay again. Why? ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2025, 3:35am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1997-toyota-camry-off-and-on-issues/200381/2 "2025-05-22T03:35:46Z")
> [@Hank40](#): > > Car runs fine for days then rough. Check engine light comes on, flashes. Days later it’s running okay again. Why? Welcome, you have been redirected to Car Talk… 1st thing, we need to know is what the codes are (the reason the check engine light is on), without that anyone is just guessing, like a crapshoot… How many miles are on your 1997 Camry and what engine does it have?? ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2025, 2:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1997-toyota-camry-off-and-on-issues/200381/3 "2025-05-22T14:52:14Z")
When the Check Engine flashes, it means a major misfire is occurring that can cause damage to either the catalytic converter or the engine, > **[Why Is My Check Engine Light Flashing?](https://mechanicbase.com/engine/flashing-check-engine-light/)** > > A flashing check engine light on your dashboard can lead to many questions. Read on to learn everything you need to know when this happens In the mean time, don’t drive the vehicle while the Check Engine light is flashing until it’s found out what’s causing the misfires. Tester ---
**Author:** ![ledhed75](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f6c823/32.png) [@ledhed75](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ledhed75)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2025, 6:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1997-toyota-camry-off-and-on-issues/200381/4 "2025-05-22T18:38:59Z")
Mechanics handle this kind of thing every day…so I’ve heard. ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2025, 6:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1997-toyota-camry-off-and-on-issues/200381/5 "2025-05-22T18:46:02Z")
@bcohen2010 We’re talking about one of YOUR favorite cars 😉 ---
**Author:** ![bcohen2010](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@bcohen2010](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bcohen2010)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2025, 3:12am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1997-toyota-camry-off-and-on-issues/200381/6 "2025-05-23T03:12:22Z")
> [@db4690](#): > > @bcohen2010 > We’re talking about one of YOUR favorite cars 😉 We sure are…and my ears perked up! I definitely hope we are able to help this person keep this quality vehicle on the road for many more years. ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2025, 3:16am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1997-toyota-camry-off-and-on-issues/200381/7 "2025-05-23T03:16:51Z")
The car is already 28 years old . . . ---
**Author:** ![cigroller](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c68b51/32.png) [@cigroller](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cigroller)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2025, 3:45am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1997-toyota-camry-off-and-on-issues/200381/8 "2025-05-23T03:45:10Z")
> [@db4690](#): > > The car is already 28 years old . . . Almost broken in! ---
**Author:** ![Hank40](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/fbc32d/32.png) [@Hank40](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Hank40)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2025, 5:59am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1997-toyota-camry-off-and-on-issues/200381/9 "2025-05-23T05:59:16Z")
Different codes at different times. PO300, 301, 303, 304, 130, 133, 150, 153, 330. 267,000 miles. V6, 3.0 liter. ---
**Author:** ![bcohen2010](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@bcohen2010](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bcohen2010)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2025, 6:40am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1997-toyota-camry-off-and-on-issues/200381/10 "2025-05-23T06:40:49Z")
How old are your spark plugs, spark transformers, and ignition wires? Remember that on this engine, there are three spark transformers, which have two outputs–a direct coil-on-plug connection to each front cylinder, and an ignition wire going to the rear cylinder behind it. If any of these components are defective, that can cause an intermittent misfire. Are there any reasons to suspect fuel delivery problems, such as a worn-out fuel pump which doesn’t maintain the proper pressure, worn-out fuel injectors, etc. Does the engine make abnormal valvetrain noise? Fortunately, there’s no VVT, so you can rule that out. ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2025, 1:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1997-toyota-camry-off-and-on-issues/200381/11 "2025-05-23T13:27:52Z")
@hank40, remove the footer from your response in post #9. You probably shouldn’t broadcast your email and phone number. ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2025, 1:43pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1997-toyota-camry-off-and-on-issues/200381/12 "2025-05-23T13:43:58Z")
I’m with @bcohen2010 on this one . . . How long has that timing belt been in there, by the way? Before you do any more testing or replacing parts, I’d do a compression test on ALL cylinders Yes, ALL of them, including the ones that are kind of under the cowl You’ve got adjustable valves on this car . . . bucket and shim style, meaning if anything’s off, you’ll need to replace shims If your valve lash is too tight, you’ll have lower compression, which can cause misfires Also, if that timing belt has jumped a tooth, all bets are off But please answer my question about that timing belt ---
**Author:** ![Hank40](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/fbc32d/32.png) [@Hank40](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Hank40)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2025, 2:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1997-toyota-camry-off-and-on-issues/200381/13 "2025-05-23T14:28:08Z")
Timing belt replaced 09/2013 at 185,140 miles. ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2025, 2:31pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1997-toyota-camry-off-and-on-issues/200381/14 "2025-05-23T14:31:55Z")
I believe your timing belt is due again by time and mileage . . . But I would consider doing that compression test What about those coils, plugs and wires? When were they done last? ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2025, 3:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1997-toyota-camry-off-and-on-issues/200381/15 "2025-05-23T15:29:15Z")
> [@db4690](#): > > I believe your timing belt is due again by time and mileage . . . I don’t think that we know how many miles were put on that replacement timing belt, but on the basis of elapsed time, it is _much_ overdue for another replacement. But, as you stated, the first step should be a compression test. ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2025, 3:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1997-toyota-camry-off-and-on-issues/200381/16 "2025-05-23T15:52:59Z")
This is weird . . . Earlier this morning, op posted the year and mileage at which the timing belt was last replaced But that post has now seemingly disappeared ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2025, 4:22pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1997-toyota-camry-off-and-on-issues/200381/17 "2025-05-23T16:22:22Z")
I’m seeing it. ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2025, 5:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1997-toyota-camry-off-and-on-issues/200381/18 "2025-05-23T17:26:45Z")
> [@bcohen2010](#): > > spark transformers WTH?? You are the 1st person I ever remember calling an ignition coil a spark transformer… lol Anyway, agreed… > [@Hank40](#): > > PO300, 301, 303, 304 By any chance was that a 305 instead of a 304?? Cylinders 1, 3, and 5 are all on the right side (firewall side) and use Ignition wires from the COPs that are on cylinders 2, 4, and 6 on the left side (radiator side) of the engine… If so, I would say the ignition wires are breaking down, but you could still have #4 ignition coil breaking down as well as 1 or 2 of the ignition wires… As mentioned, I would run a compression test on all 6 cylinders, if it passes, then replace all 6 spark plugs with the correct OEM spark plug, NOT OEM equivalent, all 3 ignition wires and the #4 ignition coil (unless it was a 305 vs 304) and see what happens, the other 2 coils can be replaced later if wanted/needed… And since the timing belt is 11+ years old and has 82Kish miles on it, I agree it is time to replace it also… ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2025, 5:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1997-toyota-camry-off-and-on-issues/200381/19 "2025-05-23T17:48:58Z")
If I knew the compression was good, I would replace ALL the plugs, wires and coils Thats the way I do things at work . . . do everything, or don’t even touch it ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2025, 6:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1997-toyota-camry-off-and-on-issues/200381/20 "2025-05-23T18:08:55Z")
I always recommend all coils, but sometimes it’s a budget thing, like I said, the other 2 can be replaced if wanted/needed in a matter of a few minutes, now if they are hid under the plenum, I replace all hard to get to… But yeah, always all plugs and wires… I have replaced 1 coil on one of mine with no issues with the others failing as long as I owned them… But the Infinity, I had one going bad and replaced all 6 at the same time…