C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

optispark and timing

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 15, 2007 | 03:06 PM
  #1  
corvette1989bham's Avatar
corvette1989bham
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,283
Likes: 0
From: Leeds Alabama
Default optispark and timing

replaced a bad opti on a 93 . it wouldnt run before . . . now cranks and runs . Timing seems way off like spark plug wires are crossed . . . triple checked they are not. Hard start and miss . I know the opti drive gear is slotted as well as the gear inside the timing cover. Both aligned fine. I cant imagine getting it 180 out , and if by some magical coincidence I did, it wouldnt run at all .. . . right? Any thoughts?
Reply
Old Jan 15, 2007 | 03:56 PM
  #2  
VenkmanP's Avatar
VenkmanP
Safety Car
20 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,793
Likes: 9
From: VA
Default

The symptoms of misaligned opti range from "no start" to "starts but runs rough, like wires are crossed."
Reply
Old Jan 15, 2007 | 06:21 PM
  #3  
corvette1989bham's Avatar
corvette1989bham
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,283
Likes: 0
From: Leeds Alabama
Default

thx....opti and gear are slotted.....double checked fit before re assembly.....how can it be mis-aligned?
Reply
Old Jan 15, 2007 | 07:46 PM
  #4  
corvette1989bham's Avatar
corvette1989bham
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,283
Likes: 0
From: Leeds Alabama
Default

bump
Reply
Old Jan 15, 2007 | 08:26 PM
  #5  
MikeC4's Avatar
MikeC4
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,510
Likes: 4
From: Austin Texas
Default

I've gotta ask, did you replace with a new Opti or remanufactured unit?

Reply
Old Jan 15, 2007 | 09:08 PM
  #6  
corvette1989bham's Avatar
corvette1989bham
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,283
Likes: 0
From: Leeds Alabama
Default

I did replace with new gm . I just pulled the water pump again and re checked new gm wires ...they were correct. Now I sometimes do and do not get a code 41 . I have done the service manual diagnostic tree.
car runs ok then sputters ping and shuts off. I have replaced coil and module.
I doubt the optispark is on wrong because it runs fine for a little bit then acts up.
Reply
Old Jan 15, 2007 | 09:41 PM
  #7  
STL94LT1's Avatar
STL94LT1
Race Director
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 12,261
Likes: 85
From: O'Fallon Missouri
Default

It would be really hard to get an early opti misaligned. If so, you would have to force the opti on. But, it sounds like either crossed plug wires or a misaligned opti.

Did you check to make sure all sensors were plugged back in after the install?
Reply
Old Jan 15, 2007 | 10:11 PM
  #8  
pcolt94's Avatar
pcolt94
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,620
Likes: 206
From: Orlando FL
Default

I would do a fuel pressure check just to make sure the pressure is OK. Low pressure would cause all kinds of running problems. Take a break from the ignition stuff and do a pressure check and cover another base.

Others have aligned the opti wrong and said it couldn’t be done. But from what I remember, it usually does not start. The opti should go on real easy and hit the cover with a tink. The bolts don’t pull it in, just hold it in place. But I think you know that.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

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

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-5

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

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

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

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

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

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

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

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Jan 15, 2007 | 10:18 PM
  #9  
corvette1989bham's Avatar
corvette1989bham
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,283
Likes: 0
From: Leeds Alabama
Default

sensors and opti are ok . . . tracing code 41.
Fuel pressure good . 40lbs +
Reply
Old Jan 15, 2007 | 10:41 PM
  #10  
pcolt94's Avatar
pcolt94
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,620
Likes: 206
From: Orlando FL
Default

From what module is the code 41. ECM would be module 4 and CCM is module 1. I guess you would not know if there was a code before opti replacement.
Reply
Old Jan 15, 2007 | 11:10 PM
  #11  
corvette1989bham's Avatar
corvette1989bham
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,283
Likes: 0
From: Leeds Alabama
Default

plenty of codes before opti - now getting ecm41. Looks like the ecm is bad.

Here is what I did....................
pulled plug on coil driver. Tested voltage with ign on .... .053

removed connector "a" from ecm ...voltage went to 10.xxx


Looks like ecm time.

Last edited by corvette1989bham; Jan 15, 2007 at 11:20 PM.
Reply
Old Jan 16, 2007 | 05:01 AM
  #12  
VenkmanP's Avatar
VenkmanP
Safety Car
20 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,793
Likes: 9
From: VA
Default

Originally Posted by corvette1989bham
thx....opti and gear are slotted.....double checked fit before re assembly.....how can it be mis-aligned?
I myself can't imagine how one can install it wrong, but so many people have managed to do it that I just have to accept it.

Do a search on camaroz28.com you will find lots of examples.
Reply
Old Mar 1, 2007 | 02:12 PM
  #13  
Kryptonite's Avatar
Kryptonite
Pro
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 538
Likes: 1
From: ATLANTA GA
Default Master Mechanic

Guys I might be boasting a little here but my C4 had been down since October 05 and had been seen by many mechanics in the Atlanta area.
Bill Heard CHEVROLET HAD MY CAR FOR 9-WEEKS called me and said come get it we cant fix it. I finally got in touch with Chris a member of this forum corvette1989bham. I shipped the car to him just outside birminham and he fixed my car within a couple weeks. The dealership had messed up the wiring harness on the car so some pretty extensive investigation and troubleshooting had to be done to fix it. I just want to say if you have something you or noone has been able to handle SEND IT TO CHRIS he was very reasonable and had the means and the place to work on these cars. Thanks again Chris for ending my nightmare.
Reply
Old Mar 5, 2007 | 02:31 PM
  #14  
Jerry9202's Avatar
Jerry9202
Intermediate
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
Default Fixed

Originally Posted by Kryptonite
Guys I might be boasting a little here but my C4 had been down since October 05 and had been seen by many mechanics in the Atlanta area.
Bill Heard CHEVROLET HAD MY CAR FOR 9-WEEKS called me and said come get it we cant fix it. I finally got in touch with Chris a member of this forum corvette1989bham. I shipped the car to him just outside birminham and he fixed my car within a couple weeks. The dealership had messed up the wiring harness on the car so some pretty extensive investigation and troubleshooting had to be done to fix it. I just want to say if you have something you or noone has been able to handle SEND IT TO CHRIS he was very reasonable and had the means and the place to work on these cars. Thanks again Chris for ending my nightmare.
What ended up being the problem? Do you know what he did to find it. I am struggling with my '92 (runs rough) and there is no one nearby that I trust--so I am trying DIY.
Reply
Old Mar 5, 2007 | 03:37 PM
  #15  
BrianCunningham's Avatar
BrianCunningham
Team Owner
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 30,845
Likes: 293
From: Boston, Dallas, Detroit, SoCal, back to Boston MA
Default

You CAN install an opti the wrong way. I've done it

Also check the leads going into the opti. Sometimes the computer hookup corodes.

Next up is the ignition coil and module.

Make sure the wires aren't crossed either.
Reply
Old Mar 5, 2007 | 05:15 PM
  #16  
jaa1992's Avatar
jaa1992
Le Mans Master
25 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 7,999
Likes: 14
From: Life is just one big track event. Everything before and after is prep and warm-up and cool-down laps
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In IV Veteran
St. Jude Donor '12
Default

Originally Posted by BrianCunningham
You CAN install an opti the wrong way. I've done it

Also check the leads going into the opti. Sometimes the computer hookup corodes.

Next up is the ignition coil and module.

Make sure the wires aren't crossed either.
I agree you can install an old style the wrong way. the "key' on the ditrubutor is just some solder between two teeth. I almost installed my new one wrong last weekend. Finally got the keyway and key to line up and it "popped" on seating perfectly without having to push hard at all.
I found that even pushing it with my hand almost got it on in the wrong position!
Reply
Old Mar 5, 2007 | 07:13 PM
  #17  
cerino2000's Avatar
cerino2000
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 7,457
Likes: 144
From: NC
Default

so what was the outcome on this thread corvette1989bham?
Reply
Old Mar 5, 2007 | 09:59 PM
  #18  
corvette1989bham's Avatar
corvette1989bham
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,283
Likes: 0
From: Leeds Alabama
Default

There were many problems, most of them from the technicians not knowing the proper way to test the different components and hacking up thw wiring harness to test circuits. The main problem was the opti and coil bad, next the serial data circuit was hacked up throwing all kinds of false codes. I completely cut out the serial data circuit and rebuilt my own. Wiring connectors for ignition module, and idle air control motor ruined from backprobing...replace all connectors. Replaced ECM due to jumper wire being installed backwards. In all, it took about 40 plus labor hours to fix a 7 labor hour job had it been diagnosed correctly the first time. Also, re-installed the original CCM to replace the used ccm that was installed by dealer when they thought it was bad too (it wasnt)
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To optispark and timing





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:51 AM.

story-0
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-2
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-3
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-4
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-5
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-6
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-7
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-8
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-9
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