opti spark ???
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 305
Likes: 0
From: Mo
opti spark ???
My 92 vette ran perfectly until I chaged out my antifreeze this AM. The car has developed a mid range miss. If I acidentally got that Optispark wet would it affect a miss only in the midrange. The car starts easily and runs fine until you accelerate mildly like pulling into traffic ,.then the miss occurs.If not the opti I'm guessing bad plug or plugwire. Any input would be appreciated.
I was busy doing other matters the last two days and tried starting and driving my vette this AM. It started and ran perfectly . Thanks all for your inputs. I dont drive my vette many miles here in Missouri during winter months but will replace some componets before next spring. Thanks again for you inputs they were much appreciated.
I was busy doing other matters the last two days and tried starting and driving my vette this AM. It started and ran perfectly . Thanks all for your inputs. I dont drive my vette many miles here in Missouri during winter months but will replace some componets before next spring. Thanks again for you inputs they were much appreciated.
Last edited by oldtimer; Nov 16, 2006 at 04:18 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,344
Likes: 2,272
From: Central Maryland
Did you get the Opti wet? Did you get the plug wires wet? Either or both of these could cause this problem to have coincided with the coolant flush. If you're lucky, it's only wet plug wires.
Be well,
SJW
Be well,
SJW
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,841
Likes: 19
From: CLT, North Carolina
Check to see which fault codes are stored. The Opti can be removed and disassembled for cleaning if it got wet if you don't wait too long to do it. The optical sensor is Mitsubishi and very reliable. The bearings will wear if allowed to get wet. The trigger wheel has 360 laser cut slots around its circumference which can plug with debris and corrupt the referrence. Double check everything you removed or unplugged to do the cooling system service
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,705
Likes: 30
From: Chesapeake Beach Maryland
2015 C5 of Year Finalist
Don't totally panic yet. I had similiar issues as you, and a miss in the exact same range. I replaced my plugs and wires, and everything went back to normal. Cross your fingers.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 305
Likes: 0
From: Mo
Originally Posted by biggrizzly
Don't totally panic yet. I had similiar issues as you, and a miss in the exact same range. I replaced my plugs and wires, and everything went back to normal. Cross your fingers.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 305
Likes: 0
From: Mo
Thanks to all for your inputs. I am going to change my plugs and wires first and then the opti if needed. I know its good for things to progress but is that opti an improvement over the HEI I'm not covinced. WE used the Mallory HEI in our late model and never had an ignition problem. I had an 85 Trans Am and chaged the HEI module once in 100,000 miles .
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 6,715
Likes: 2
From: Santa Teresa New Mexico
Originally Posted by oldtimer
Thanks to all for your inputs. I am going to change my plugs and wires first and then the opti if needed. I know its good for things to progress but is that opti an improvement over the HEI I'm not covinced. WE used the Mallory HEI in our late model and never had an ignition problem. I had an 85 Trans Am and chaged the HEI module once in 100,000 miles .
But by the grace of God its only a short term illness. 92-96 is a short time for such a good engineering marvel
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,841
Likes: 19
From: CLT, North Carolina
Good point! Now that you mention it mine had corroded connections and had been arcing inside the cap towers. The plug wires had not been plugged back in all the way during a previous owner water pump replacement and Opti cleaning and I discovered what was happening while taking it apart for timing cover seal replacement. The Opti's are easy to disassemble for cleaning if you get it wet by the way. While mine was off I decided to take a look at it and look inside because at the time of the sale the previous owner told me he had replaced it but that turned out to not be true, just cleaned the original a little and left two of the cap screws out while he was at it. Needless to say it's getting a new GM Opti along with another new pump in case his was really a rebuilt so I have a couple of spares I guess.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 306
Likes: 1
From: StLouis, 93 Vert LT1
I had the same problem (Opti), It cleared itself up then it decided to puke on a road trip. After a $170.00 tow, I decided to go with MSD vented, Runs great now! I believe when these things start to act-up, Its over.
Its gonna go sooner or later. Just my 2cents.
Its gonna go sooner or later. Just my 2cents.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,841
Likes: 19
From: CLT, North Carolina
I believe if you get it wet you really need to act quickly. Don't put it off or that will be the result. Needs to come off and come apart to clean internal components or it will get you. Keep Opti dry and and it's a pretty reliable system, as reliable as any other distributor based ignition.
