Got a 96 camry with 228,000 miles on it. The CEL is on. Just replaced transmission and radiator. I am now experiencing a cold hard start, meaning when I start for the first time engine turns over no start. Acts as though no gas in it. Then after a sputter it turns over for a second. Then turns over again for a second again. Then finally starts and starts fine for the rest of the day. I changed plugs and wires, While changing the plugs I noticed old plugs looked like the car was running rich. I am thinking o2 sensor. Went to autozone to have code check and seems my 96 has a older style ecu plug which means they can't tell me what the codes are. Dealer or shop is my only option$$$. I am trying to rule out anything I can and I hate to replace $$$o2 sensors$$$ and not fix problem. any thoughts. Fuel filter? Rotor cap and button?

Dealer or shop is my only option$$$.

Nah!! Not yet!

Welcome to the forum. Check for error codes using this procedure: http://www.turboninjas.com/camry/eg1.pdf Scroll to page EG1-297. This is from your factory manual listed in the Camry Service Manuals thread at the top of the forum. Suggest you use it to avoid your "only option".

The SST mentioned is Toyota lingo for a paperclip. Works best with two people. All codes are two digits.

I would go to another Autozone or another parts store in you area that will also check the codes for free. A 96 model should be OBD2.

One thing you can check yourself would be the engine coolant temperature sensor. Toyota calls this an ECT sensor in their manuals. It's what tells the ECU that the engine is cold and richens up the mixture for a cold start. It could be out of range. It could be telling the ECU the engine is always warm. That would explain the hard starting and then the normal running after things have warmed up. You will need a DVM and the specs from any manual to do this. There is a generation 3 (1992-1996) manual stickied at the top of this forum. You can download that for free to get the specs.

Mike