my 1987 toyota camry wont start

Remove the big black intake hose from the throttle body. Spray some starting fluid into the throttle body. If it fires up for a couple of seconds, you have a fuel or air issue. If the check engine light is on, try and get the error codes read. If you are unable to, unplug your Mass Air Flow sensor and crank it over. If it runs for a second, you may have a dirty or bad MAF. You can buy some MAF cleaner and see if cleaning it will help. If that doesn't seem to be the issue, have someone help you figure out if your fuel injectors are working.

You might want to try this: have someone try to start this vehicle while you are smacking the bottom of the gas tank with the palm of your hand. If the vehicle starts up...or ...tries to start...you have a bad fuel pump. MAKE SURE THE PARKING BRAKE IS FULLY APPLIED when you perform this test. Go to parts store and buy a cheap fuel injector test light (noid light). Plug it into one of your fuel injector connectors. The light should blink when you try to start the vehicle. Get back to us with the results of these tests.

replace the distributor

Since we have not heard from Marcyie for about 3 months we should assume this issue was resolved.

Hi I have a 1987 Toyota Camry and it won't start up sometimes and when it does start up when I put it in gear D or R it shuts off. Can somebody please tell me what's wrong?

Even though my distributor was tested, and Toyota mechanics ran all the diagnostics, no one could figure it out. The Car Guys radio show (Tom and Ray?) had a fix. Replace the distributor. Never had another problem and I kept that brand new car for 32 years. It was still running fine when I sold it to the state and bought a new car.