2000 4 cylinder with intermittent stutter

This sort of problem should present no problem to a competant mechanic. If you had to guess which system is causing intermittant faltering of the engine, the ignition would be my first pick,..but it could be fuel or some ECU (engine management computer) problem.

Toyota will be able to do the job, but in my experience (in Australia) they seem to charge top dollar.

Find a reputable mechanical shop by asking around amongst work associates, friends, neighbours etc. They are around, ie competant mechanics who want people to come back the next time.

Jason

My first guess would be spark plug wires. Can be confirmed by checking resistance with a simple meter, not to exceed 25K ohms each.

I had a similar problem, it was plug wires shorting only when hot. Use Toy wires aftermarket last me 4 years. At 100000 you need wires , plugs, cap and rotor anyway as a maintenance issue. Be sure to check the timing, retarded timing looses power and milage.

Having sort of the same issue w/ a '92 Camry (160k mi.)and took it to a shop to get it fixed. It was diagnosed as bad plug wires and they were replaced. The car exhibited the exact same behavior leaving from getting "fixed". The behavior w/ mine is that cold it will run fine up until it gets to operating temperature then, if you have to stop before it's been @ operating temp for a while (15-20 min.) and try to go again it will miss, bog and die, but if you let it sit after being @ operating temp, or you drive @ an achieved speed over that time it will behave normally. The behavior is @ it's worst after rain (this car is parked outside) and it takes a longer stretch of time for it to behave normally. When it sputters, bogs, and dies it seems that the timing isn't advancing enough to deal w/ the larger quantity of gas from pressing on the gas pedal which is leading me to believe that it is a ECU/timing issue. Just my thoughts....I'm very interested in the outcome of your situation too!

Tim

Dying after it is warmed after a rain is often the coil shorting out. A common Camry issue. Oil can leak past the gasket or moisture is shorting it out. A Oem cap fixed my coil issue as a non Oem would not seal. Coil replacement may be necessary or a simple cleaning of the exterior of the coil may do. Replacement on mine is not easy as distributor removal is necessary. I got lucky with cleaning it and a new cap tightened down. But first see that your cap is tight a mechanic left mine loose which alowed in moisture and caused all my headaches.

Same here. I've had my 1997 4cyl for 18 months. Also in the UK. I think only about 2500 Camrys are sold here every year.

Mine had just had a similar problem. My local Toyota dealer say they spent 4-5 hrs. They noticed the fault but they couldn't find any faulty component. I would recommend you take your car to a dealer, since and reasonable mechanic would tell you the same thing. Not many independent mechanics have experience with Toyota's in the UK. Although the hourly rate in a dealer is more, they'll fix your car quicker. Toyota dealers here are reputed to be honest compared with other make of car. I wasn't charged for Toyota looking at my car, since they didn't couldn't prove any component was faulty. I'd be grateful to see if anyone manages to get this problem fixed.