Opti/rain
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 25
Likes: 4
From: New Jersey
Opti/rain
Hi I'm new at this, but it here goes. Wife got me my c4 Ruby for Christmas, ran great then it rained it wouldn't start,. I changed plugS and wires as suggested by one from our forum members it been running like a top since. Always check how it runs by what I burn in gas the last two gas checks were 29 mpg and 20 mpg difference between the two by how fast I drive. Was out this Monday, live NJ got stuck in that rain storm we had and parkway I drove on was covered in water car ran fine got home. Next day went to start my car it ran like it was on seven cylinders then quit, restarted it again it started up but again on even less cylinders and quit. Now it only turns over no sign of even trying to fire. Being that it has the optispark and I know it water hit it is there anything that can be done or do I have to replace the Opti.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 17,317
Likes: 6,499
From: Melbourne, FL
Dont jump to conclusions that it's the opti, they are FAR more robust than people give credit for. I drove mine in the rain all the time without issue
Look for the shbox lt1 troubleshooting guide. I would be much more inclined to believe the connector to the icm or something os corroded than the opti.
Look for the shbox lt1 troubleshooting guide. I would be much more inclined to believe the connector to the icm or something os corroded than the opti.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 6,192
Likes: 750
From: near the thumb in the mitten
Optispark and deep puddles don't go together. You need a manual preferably factory manuals. There maybe codes sets. Basic diagnostic tools : spark tester, Noid light, fuel pressure gauge, and DVOM should get you through most engine performance and no start conditions.
Spark tester allow ignition spark to be visible
Noid light will blink as injector is turned on.
Fuel pressure gauge installs on Schrader valve on fuel line or rail. Fuel pressure should be 43 psi or higher and hold.
Install all and 3 post results
This link may help also
https://tech.corvettecentral.com/201...trouble-codes/
Spark tester allow ignition spark to be visible
Noid light will blink as injector is turned on.
Fuel pressure gauge installs on Schrader valve on fuel line or rail. Fuel pressure should be 43 psi or higher and hold.
Install all and 3 post results
This link may help also
https://tech.corvettecentral.com/201...trouble-codes/
Last edited by Kevova; Jul 29, 2019 at 10:43 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,143
Likes: 81
From: Finger Lakes Region, New York
Dont jump to conclusions that it's the opti, they are FAR more robust than people give credit for. I drove mine in the rain all the time without issue
Look for the shbox lt1 troubleshooting guide. I would be much more inclined to believe the connector to the icm or something os corroded than the opti.
Look for the shbox lt1 troubleshooting guide. I would be much more inclined to believe the connector to the icm or something os corroded than the opti.
Last edited by v8vette84; Jul 29, 2019 at 12:29 PM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 25
Likes: 4
From: New Jersey
Hi I'm new at this, but it here goes. Wife got me my c4 Ruby for Christmas, ran great then it rained it wouldn't start,. I changed plugS and wires as suggested by one from our forum members it been running like a top since. Always check how it runs by what I burn in gas the last two gas checks were 29 mpg and 20 mpg difference between the two by how fast I drive. Was out this Monday, live NJ got stuck in that rain storm we had and parkway I drove on was covered in water car ran fine got home. Next day went to start my car it ran like it was on seven cylinders then quit, restarted it again it started up but again on even less cylinders and quit. Now it only turns over no sign of even trying to fire. Being that it has the optispark and I know it water hit it is there anything that can be done or do I have to replace the Opti.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,559
Likes: 943
From: Communist Colorado
If you let it sit for a few days when its not rainy or humid.... then start it and it runs fine, then you can pretty much count on the OS optical sensor is getting wet and drying enough to run well. It will happen again where it will run like ****, then not start... Ive been through the exact symptoms you describe. The OS was the issue.
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Racer
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 422
Likes: 53
From: PA
+1, this worked for me. My research and experience on other optispark cars (yes many early to mid 90's GM V8's used optispark) is they will usually give you a poor running condition first and code(s) before totally giving up the ghost. The ICM and/or ignition coil on the other hand will quit and no start/run without warning.
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 29
Likes: 3
From: Eureka Calif.
+1, this worked for me. My research and experience on other optispark cars (yes many early to mid 90's GM V8's used optispark) is they will usually give you a poor running condition first and code(s) before totally giving up the ghost. The ICM and/or ignition coil on the other hand will quit and no start/run without warning.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,143
Likes: 81
From: Finger Lakes Region, New York
Racer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 262
Likes: 12
From: Montgomery Alabama
I had a leaky water pump destroy my opti. Had engine flushed and new anti-freeze replaced. Somehow, or as I was told, the water pump began to leak and infiltrated the opti. seemed logical but I do know for sure.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
Likes: 3,216
From: Park City Utah
The leaky water pump didn't likely destroy your opti. You very likely could have cleaned it out, put it back in and kept on truckin'. 
X2 right here. Sac City, and mine got doused by a blown radiator hose. I CLEANED IT OUT and it's still working great.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 25
Likes: 4
From: New Jersey
Opti/rain no start
Update on my opti/rain no start. I've had problems before when it rained and i would let it sit to dry out and would start and run again fine. This time I did not have that luck in drying out.rained about every other day. I gave up ordered a Ltcc system and installed it. Again No start checked everything was ok. For some reason I decided to purge the injector system which i had done once before when I had problems getting it to start after rain. And when I noticed no smell of gas, but had liquid spilling out. Checked the liquid and found it to be water not gas.went to the gas tank and checked the cap and found it was not screwed down only about a half turn. Had gotten a fill up the night before the rain started and then had the problem starting, the person who pumped the gas did not tighten it all the way i always check that except this one time. Proceeded to drain the tank and removed about three gallons of water from my gas tank still have some water left in the tank hopefully this coming weekend I can purge the rest of it out of the tank. Side note probably didn't need to change the Opti, but again I've had problems starting when it rained heavily and had ridden the car in the rain.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
Likes: 3,216
From: Park City Utah
I gave up ordered a Ltcc system and installed it. Again No start Checked the liquid and found it to be water not gas.went to the gas tank and checked the cap and found it was not screwed down only about a half turn. Had gotten a fill up the night before the rain started and then had the problem starting, the person who pumped the gas did not tighten it all the way i always check that except this one time. Side note probably didn't need to change the Opti, but again I've had problems starting when it rained heavily and had ridden the car in the rain.
Thanks for the follow up post though.