C4 General Discussion General C4 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech

Help?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 5, 2006 | 12:40 AM
  #1  
9bluevette4's Avatar
9bluevette4
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: Anoka MN
Default Help?

I have a 94 C4. It runs great, and when you push it hard it flys great. But, when you "kinda" get on it and reach about 3700-4000RPM the car seems to shut off for a sec. The tach drops towards the zero, then the car relights and runs fine. Except the service engine light comes on(but resets if you disconnect the battery). It has done this 4-5 times this past week. I just drove it 800 miles round trip in the past 3 days and it ran super. 70-75 MPH w/AC and 26.8 MPG. Any ideas?
Reply
Old Jun 5, 2006 | 12:49 AM
  #2  
PsychoNumber1's Avatar
PsychoNumber1
Race Director
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 11,108
Likes: 0
From: Behind The Redwood Curtain, The State of Jefferson
Default

have you pulled the codes?
Reply
Old Jun 5, 2006 | 09:00 AM
  #3  
9bluevette4's Avatar
9bluevette4
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: Anoka MN
Default

no, might that help?
Reply
Old Jun 5, 2006 | 09:50 AM
  #4  
Pete K's Avatar
Pete K
Race Director
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 12,517
Likes: 19
Default

Originally Posted by 9bluevette4
no, might that help?
Absolutely. Codes guide you directly to most problems.
Reply
Old Jun 5, 2006 | 02:24 PM
  #5  
9bluevette4's Avatar
9bluevette4
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: Anoka MN
Default

The code is DTC 36...DISTRIBUTOR IGNITION SYSTEM (Faulty High Resolution Pulse or Extra Low Resolution Pulse Detected). Any ideas where the best place is to start?
Reply
Old Jun 5, 2006 | 02:25 PM
  #6  
9bluevette4's Avatar
9bluevette4
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: Anoka MN
Default

Also, DTC 36 is the only code the car shows.
Reply
Old Jun 5, 2006 | 02:28 PM
  #7  
Ttime's Avatar
Ttime
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 847
Likes: 0
From: Colorado Springs CO
Default

You might want to fill out your profile so people can help you out quicker.
I assume you have a 94 right ?
Reply
Old Jun 5, 2006 | 02:50 PM
  #8  
9bluevette4's Avatar
9bluevette4
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: Anoka MN
Default

Yep its a 94, and thx...
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-3

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-4

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Jun 5, 2006 | 03:17 PM
  #9  
Ttime's Avatar
Ttime
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 847
Likes: 0
From: Colorado Springs CO
Default

Originally Posted by 9bluevette4
Yep its a 94, and thx...
I just re-read your original post and missed the part that said it was a '94 Sorry.

Sounds like an Optispark or coil.
Reply
Old Jun 5, 2006 | 03:30 PM
  #10  
pcolt94's Avatar
pcolt94
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,620
Likes: 206
From: Orlando FL
Default

Welcome to opti world. Not many opts actually fail with this code because that part of the opti is prety reliable. I would double check the connections at the opti and PCM. Re-seat the connectors, clean them, go thru the steps.

By memory, the 'black' connector (which are the 'B' pins) is the one you want on the PCM. Good luck.
Reply
Old Jun 6, 2006 | 01:57 PM
  #11  
9bluevette4's Avatar
9bluevette4
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: Anoka MN
Default Optispark

I haven't cleaned the connections yet, but I will try that soon. I have also read not wash a LT1 cuz the Optispark could start mess'in with me. Well, when I got the car I washed the motor(damm) before reading not to. If it is cuz the optispark getting wet is the cause here, would a cap and rotor replacment be a good idea, or is replacing the whole thing a must? Need to keep this low cost.
Reply
Old Jun 6, 2006 | 03:22 PM
  #12  
pcolt94's Avatar
pcolt94
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,620
Likes: 206
From: Orlando FL
Default

The cap is like a regulator distributor cap, it will not throw a code. That is where the high voltage is. The other section is the part that sends the timing resolution pulses to the PCM and thats the piece that you are having the problem with. In that case, if this is all true, changing the cap will do nothing for you, the whole body needs to be changed. Besides a 12 year old opti is to old to change the cap with all that work. Having said that, a GM replacement can be had on Ebay for about $300. There are some other sources and upgraded optis for $600 +. If you can do the work your self, this could work for you. Otherwise pay a good shop and bite the bullet.
Reply
Old Jun 6, 2006 | 03:55 PM
  #13  
AORoads's Avatar
AORoads
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Default

To keep it "low cost", you're going to have to spend a little money to save a lot. Try all the simple, easy things. And do a search here in tech section for optispark diagnosis, fixes. Keep thinking simple and easy, it might work.

Then, get either the FSM (Factory Service Manuals by Helm, Inc. for about 80-100) or look for a Haynes Manual--not as complete, but adequate. Then, you may (MAY) have to change the Optispark yourself. This will save you somewhere in the area of 3-4 hours of labor charges at whatever is your area's going rate (hmm, mpls. 'burb? 75/hr.? you betcha.).

Good luck.

Last edited by AORoads; Jun 6, 2006 at 06:38 PM.
Reply
Old Jun 6, 2006 | 06:08 PM
  #14  
Jet-Jock's Avatar
Jet-Jock
Race Director
Supporting Lifetime
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,421
Likes: 8
From: Lake Mary Florida
Default

370.78 10457702 distributor
5.16 10217886 seal
49.47 10219554 water drive shaft
2.73 10128317 opti seal
.39 ea 10128343 water pump gaskets

plus labor.

Buy the Helm Factory Service Manual if you plan to do any work yourself, worth their weight in gold.

Yep that is an opti issue.

How long after washing the engine before this started happening and how much time has elapsed since?
Reply
Old Jun 6, 2006 | 08:06 PM
  #15  
Dostovel's Avatar
Dostovel
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 898
Likes: 0
From: Avatar Nazi Land Orange County, CA
Default

Optisparks... don't miss mine...
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Help?





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:11 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-1
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE
story-8
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

Slideshow: 5 most and least popular Corvette model years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-08 13:25:01


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette buyer's guide

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-17 16:41:08


VIEW MORE