Optispark Installation Nightmare... PLEASE HELP!!!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,110
Likes: 0
From: Andover MA
Cruise-In I Veteran
Optispark Installation Nightmare... PLEASE HELP!!!
Hi Guys,
Well, I was at the garage until 10:00 tonight and we were unable to get my '94 started. The new opti appears to be firing on the wrong cylinders. The only way we got the engine to partially run was to start swapping plug wires... what a mess.
The mechanic will tear it down again tomorrow to verify that the opti is keyed correctly. Can the opti be mis-keyed? I thought it only went in one way. Next, the mechanic is wondering if it's the correct opti for my VIN. The opti part number is 10457702 and my VIN is 1G1YY22P6R5101702.
Any ideas what might be going on here. These are usually very good mechanics, but frankly, they don't know all that much about vettes.
Help!!!
[Modified by mshipon, 10:32 PM 8/16/2001]
Well, I was at the garage until 10:00 tonight and we were unable to get my '94 started. The new opti appears to be firing on the wrong cylinders. The only way we got the engine to partially run was to start swapping plug wires... what a mess.
The mechanic will tear it down again tomorrow to verify that the opti is keyed correctly. Can the opti be mis-keyed? I thought it only went in one way. Next, the mechanic is wondering if it's the correct opti for my VIN. The opti part number is 10457702 and my VIN is 1G1YY22P6R5101702.
Any ideas what might be going on here. These are usually very good mechanics, but frankly, they don't know all that much about vettes.
Help!!!
[Modified by mshipon, 10:32 PM 8/16/2001]
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,200
Likes: 0
Re: Optispark Installation Nightmare... PLEASE HELP!!! (mshipon)
i've read post where the opti was installed a tooth off. according to the post it is not so hard to miss align the splines even with the keyway. i have never seen this myself ..... just passing on the info. good luck
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 231
Likes: 0
Re: Optispark Installation Nightmare... PLEASE HELP!!! (Rich_01659)
I just did my opti the other week on my 95. It's not the same as your 94, but it's close enough. I think that your opti has no shaft sticking out of it, the shaft sticks out of your cam right? Well there is only 3 ways to mount my opti, and only one(the right key way) will let you mount the opti flush with the engine without it breaking, beleive me I found out the hard way when I thought that it was installed all the way and decided to start tightening the mounting bolts....a loud cracking sound later and a quick trip to the dealer to replace my "defective" opti took up another day, but I lucked out. Make sure that the keyway that goes onto the pin on your cam shaft matches the odd looking keyway on your opti(2 will look the same and the other will be square looking), or vice versa for your year. I haven't seen an older opti yet, but i'm guessing that it should be like mine, but backwards if you get what i'm saying. I hope that this helps out. It wasn't the easiest job, especially with the balancer removal, but it's a good job to do. After you get your car running it will feel like it is brand new. Good luck and let me know how things turn out.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 90
Likes: 6
From: Allen, TX
Re: Optispark Installation Nightmare... PLEASE HELP!!! (mshipon)
I just had my optispark replaced yesterday and the mechanic was telling me that some new bulletin just came out about programming the computer that was different from the past method. That is all he said, maybe it's worth investigating. Sorry that's all I know. My LT4 runs perfect for now (at least today). :confused:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 9,713
Likes: 3
From: Sachse Texas
Cruise-In I Veteran
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Optispark Installation Nightmare... PLEASE HELP!!! (mshipon)
They probably forced the keyway on and it is not aligned properly. It should gently slide into place. Or, they just have the plugs on wrong.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,181
Likes: 0
From: Puyallup Washington
Re: Optispark Installation Nightmare... PLEASE HELP!!! (mshipon)
It's very easy to mis-spline the opti. I stuck it on, and started it without the waterpump and dampner installed just to make sure. It ran like crap, guess what, I missed! Just three little bolts and another try, I finaly got it right on the third try!
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh North Carolina
Re: Optispark Installation Nightmare... PLEASE HELP!!! (mshipon)
I've had the opti off twice in the past year. I put it on, and took it off close to ten times before I finally installed the thing. The other post was right when they said it has to be flush against the timing cover. This is the way I did it..
- I took the cap off using a no. 4 outside TORX socket.
- I lined the shaft up the best I could.
- I held the opti with just a little presure against the shaft, which I had already installed throught the timing cover.
- While keeping the pressure, I slowly turned the rotor as it sliped over one tooth in the shaft at a time.
- Then all of a sudden it just SLID RIGHT IN, flush with the timing cover.
It only goes one way, EASILY
The rotor also only goes one way.
Sounds like the wires to me.
The first time I replaced the opti, the coil went out also, guess because I kept trying to crank it, dunno.....I replaced the coil and coil module.
I never had anything reprogramed when I did my opti. Maybe I should check this re-programing thing out. Looking in my '93 shop manuals, there's no call for a re-programing when replacing the opti.
jimilane
- I took the cap off using a no. 4 outside TORX socket.
- I lined the shaft up the best I could.
- I held the opti with just a little presure against the shaft, which I had already installed throught the timing cover.
- While keeping the pressure, I slowly turned the rotor as it sliped over one tooth in the shaft at a time.
- Then all of a sudden it just SLID RIGHT IN, flush with the timing cover.
It only goes one way, EASILY
The rotor also only goes one way.
Sounds like the wires to me.
The first time I replaced the opti, the coil went out also, guess because I kept trying to crank it, dunno.....I replaced the coil and coil module.
I never had anything reprogramed when I did my opti. Maybe I should check this re-programing thing out. Looking in my '93 shop manuals, there's no call for a re-programing when replacing the opti.
jimilane
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 22,267
Likes: 3
From: Dallas TX
Re: Optispark Installation Nightmare... PLEASE HELP!!! (mshipon)
Yes, you probably forced it on (like I did the first time). It was extremely hard pulling it out.. and I ripped it to shreads. It's a good thing my new cone came with a new gear! It should slip in with very little to no force at all. Just keep turning it very slightly as you try to put it in and you'll find it with not too much trouble.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
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
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 3,504
Likes: 4
From: Mexico Beach FL
Re: Optispark Installation Nightmare... PLEASE HELP!!! (mshipon)
The Opti-Spark previous to the vacuum vented Opti (on the Vette, the vacuum vented started in '95) had a splined shaft from the camshaft gear to the Opti-Spark. That shaft has one large spline that has to mate properly at the cam gear and the Opti-Spark. You can probably force it on the wrong way.
The later (vacuum vented) Opti-Spark has a hub that is part of the Opti-Spark that has to mate with the longer dowel pin in the camshaft. It is harder to put this one on the wrong way without breaking something.
Tom Piper
The later (vacuum vented) Opti-Spark has a hub that is part of the Opti-Spark that has to mate with the longer dowel pin in the camshaft. It is harder to put this one on the wrong way without breaking something.
Tom Piper
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,110
Likes: 0
From: Andover MA
Cruise-In I Veteran
Re: Optispark Installation Nightmare... PLEASE HELP!!! (mshipon)
I stopped back at the garage at 7:30 this morning on the way to work and there was the mechanic reassembling the opti/waterpump for the 2nd time. This is one of those garages where you can hang out and chew the fat for a while... very relaxed, easy going place. In this place 1 hour equals 3 hours due to all the bs and interuptions. He had realized that the spline was mis-aligned and went back in to fix it. He told me to give him a call at 10:00 to see if it's done. I hope he got it this time.
Thanks for the help!
Thanks for the help!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 2,225
Likes: 0
From: Georgia
Cruise-In I Veteran
Re: Optispark Installation Nightmare... PLEASE HELP!!! (mshipon)
Hey Marty,
Sounds like you're about to get it fixed OK. Hope you have it for the weekend with no further probs.
George
Sounds like you're about to get it fixed OK. Hope you have it for the weekend with no further probs.
George
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,110
Likes: 0
From: Andover MA
Cruise-In I Veteran
Re: Optispark Installation Nightmare... PLEASE HELP!!! (mshipon)
I spoke with the mechanic and he told me the car seems to be running fine now, although he didn't want to test drive it himself. So, after work today, I'll take it on the highway and get it nice and hot. Keep your fingers crossed!
Drifting
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,468
Likes: 0
From: Il
Re: Optispark Installation Nightmare... PLEASE HELP!!! (Rich_01659)
When I put my 3rd. Opti on, I followed what some of the other members said to do. I did not try to force it on. I would move the shaft alittle at a time and try to put it on. When I got the shaft lined up just right, the Opti sort a just "fell on" and all was flush. 3 bolts later it was on...
Roger :seeya :seeya :seeya
Roger :seeya :seeya :seeya
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,110
Likes: 0
From: Andover MA
Cruise-In I Veteran
Re: Optispark Installation Nightmare... PLEASE HELP!!! (mshipon)
I just took the car for a 50 mile drive; highways and backroads. The car never ran better! It's perfectly smooth and seems to be running 10-15 degrees cooler; probably due to the fresh coolant and new thermostat in the waterpump. All together, we replaced the following:
- OptiSpark
- Waterpump
- Ignition Coil
- New Coil Wire
- Change Cam Seals/O-Rings
- Changed Oil/Filter
- Changed Coolant
I've really learned a lot about the car through this episode. Thanks for all the help guys!
- OptiSpark
- Waterpump
- Ignition Coil
- New Coil Wire
- Change Cam Seals/O-Rings
- Changed Oil/Filter
- Changed Coolant
I've really learned a lot about the car through this episode. Thanks for all the help guys!
Pro
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 740
Likes: 0
From: Chelmsford, MA USA
Re: Optispark Installation Nightmare... PLEASE HELP!!! (mshipon)
Martin:
Some fun. Sorry to hear about the problem(s)... But it sounds like it's been fixed.
Youv'e certainly earned some rest. Let's hope those fixes are the last
for this year. We missed you at the cruise this week. It was a great turn out.
Bring that bad boy Wednesday night and be happy :yesnod:
Take care,
Bob
Some fun. Sorry to hear about the problem(s)... But it sounds like it's been fixed.
Youv'e certainly earned some rest. Let's hope those fixes are the last for this year. We missed you at the cruise this week. It was a great turn out.
Bring that bad boy Wednesday night and be happy :yesnod:
Take care,
Bob
