Stranded in a '96
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 1,674
Likes: 191
From: Shit Creek, USA
Stranded in a '96
In a parking lot not far away sits Lucy. She starts and dies. 
No warning. Started great after work and lunch. Ran without a pause. Then I stopped for beer.
Maybe someone will steal her.
No warning. Started great after work and lunch. Ran without a pause. Then I stopped for beer.
Maybe someone will steal her.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 1,674
Likes: 191
From: Shit Creek, USA
Only with Chevys. And it could've been worse. I could've been out of town.
I'd tell you about my previous car - which never left me stranded in 18 years - but I know how you dislike the M word. So glad I kept her now.
I'd tell you about my previous car - which never left me stranded in 18 years - but I know how you dislike the M word. So glad I kept her now.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 17,377
Likes: 6,523
From: Melbourne, FL
What's it do when you try to start? Does it turn over? Security light going? Age of ICM and Coil? It's highly improbable it's the opti based on your statements. Optis give warning they're dying with poor performance and stumbling and other issues.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,706
Likes: 485
From: Everett WA
C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
It's always disappointing when that happens.
My 04 ignition cylinder pin came loose one day. When into the grocery store one day was running fine;came out the key wouldn't turn in the cylinder.
That's what AAA is for.
No chance it's the fuel pump if it's starting & stopping?
My 04 ignition cylinder pin came loose one day. When into the grocery store one day was running fine;came out the key wouldn't turn in the cylinder.
That's what AAA is for.
No chance it's the fuel pump if it's starting & stopping?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 1,674
Likes: 191
From: Shit Creek, USA
She fires right up, then dies. No codes. Original ICM and coil AFAIK.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
Likes: 3,216
From: Park City Utah
What's the tach do when it dies? Obviously if it's dying, the tach will go down...as the engine does...but can you "see" the tach cut out first/faster than the engine dying? If you lose your tach...Opti.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 1,674
Likes: 191
From: Shit Creek, USA
If the tach doesn't cut out first, I'll check fuel pressure at the rail. If it does cut out, well, guess I get some more practice on my opti replacement technique.
I didn't sleep well. Lying awake mentally draining the radiator, removing the belt, hoses, water pump. Saying howdy to that balancer and wondering if I used enough anti-seize.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 1,674
Likes: 191
From: Shit Creek, USA
Epilogue?
Cautiously optimistic. I took apart the MAF box and did the alcohol in a baggie cleaning trick.
The wiring was wrapped in crusty, hardened electrical tape. And it was getting squeezed by the small radiator hose. New protective wrap and a standoff for the hose.
Fired up beautifully again. We'll probably take two cars to lunch.
The wiring was wrapped in crusty, hardened electrical tape. And it was getting squeezed by the small radiator hose. New protective wrap and a standoff for the hose.
Fired up beautifully again. We'll probably take two cars to lunch.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 17,377
Likes: 6,523
From: Melbourne, FL
When you say fires up, do you mean it spins the starter, actually starts, then dies right after?
If your IcM and coil are original, I'd start there. They'e easy to replace and do go bad, most "bad optis" are actually coil and Icm issues.
If your IcM and coil are original, I'd start there. They'e easy to replace and do go bad, most "bad optis" are actually coil and Icm issues.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 1,674
Likes: 191
From: Shit Creek, USA
No drama yesterday driving errands. Looks like the MAF service did the trick.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,314
Likes: 508
From: South-central Missouri
If you can duplicate the problem, then you'd gain a significant amount of reassurance, methinks!Good luck, buddy!!
Paul.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 1,674
Likes: 191
From: Shit Creek, USA
Considering the heat factor, ICM is still a possibility.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 422
Likes: 53
From: PA
just for reference, my '96 had a part throttle miss and threw a code P0330, the car started and ran just had a miss. Replaced plugs and wires still the same. Wound up being the distributor. I think the opti will give you some "warning shots" before it stops working all together.