rs/ss 67

Car will start and run real ruff backfire thru passeneger side exhaust--trying to drive it the ABS is activating and the car is jerking real bad--Any ideas would be welcome before I start buying parts.

aminnich

Sounds like the opti got soaked. Try drying it out (hair drier, leaf blower) but it is likely going to need to be replaced.

rs/ss 67

I thought that it could be the opti , but would that make the ABS system activate ?

5abivt

Did he soak the whole engine compartment?

NEVRL8T

Is it the ABS or the ASR or both? Dollars to donuts, its the opti.

rs/ss 67

He did soak the entire engine compartment when it was running

FatherTime

DOH! You didn't warn him about soaking the engine?



Time for a new $800 opti


It may be something else, but my moneys on the opti... let's watch!

Randy93

There is a sensor for the ABS right below the fluid level sensor on the MC, take off the neg. ground and let the car sit and dry out for a day.
Had this happen to me, left the hood up while I went to the parts store and it started raining. Let the car sit and then she fired right up and the opti lasted 30k miles afterwards. The engine bay of newer cars does not like water.

black85

The ABS may take a long time to dry. I just did this to a 97 blazer. I washed the ABS module area down to clean some spilled fuel. Guess what? ABS light was on the next day. It took a week or so of driving before it finally went off and stayed off for good. That was about 6 months ago though, and it has been off ever since. I think you will be ok w/ that. I would do what Randy93 said, maybe that will speed up the dry time.

One thing you could check is the spark plug wires. Just start the engine it the dark and look for arcing above the wires. Moisture will always reveal failing plug wires. I had wires that were so bad I couldn't drive the car on rainy days b/c of humidity.

pologreen1

yikes!!

rs/ss 67

I started the car tonight after using a gas blower on the entire engine compartment and the car fired and idled but reving it up still had backfires thru the exhaust on the Passenger side but not as bad as yesterday-I did not try and drive it but I will tomorrow. Thanks for all the help and I will keep everyone posted.

dspayne

I just bought my vette and didn't know about this. I wrapped a garbage bag around the distributor cap. Sprayed gunk on and also hosed it off. Someone must have been watching over me, cause it started fine. How do you clean it if you can't hose it down?

llong66

dspayne...to clean stuff under the hood, I use simply green, brake cleaner sprayed on a rag, and LOTS of paper towels. Takes time but its a good way to catch lil things...loose connections and vac. lines etc. before they become a problem. You dont mention the year of your car, but it its pre 92 (first LT1) then you dont have to worry about it nearly as much.

tdr1919

If you have a distributor cap, you dont have an opti-spark unit, you can pour a garbage can full of water over your engine and wont have any problems!
LOL

dspayne

Thanks for the info, I have an 89 and no opti spark.

onedef92

Check your coil, ICM, and ignition wires. Sounds like they got soaked real good with the water hose. If your wires have more than 60,000 miles on 'em they're out of their O.E.M. service life anyhow and should be replaced.

When's the last time you changed your plugs? Sounds like the perfect time to at last inspect them if it's been more than 30,000 miles.

rs/ss 67

I do not know the life of anything in the car, I just purchased it and it has 105,000 miles. Car is in very good condition and the last owner put 14,000 miles in the last 7 years, I do not think he did any maintenance as i beleive he isn't a car guy. Anyway today it will not start and has no codes present. I guess I will start pulling the Optispark out and change the wires and plugs at the same time. Hope this helps.

PLRX

got to be carefull where you direct the hose on LT engines

Sryno

At least, yours is running rough...Mine wont start at all!!! I feel like a real chump. Added coolant, was burping system and coolant sprayed all over opti I guess..Motor stopped dead...I'm still kicking myself...Its also a daily driver..THIS STINKS...Good Luck my Brother..

Redeasysport

Sometimes getting water on the old plug wires/coil/ICM can cause arcing too. Try letting it go through a couple of heat cycles @ idle and see what happens. SES light on? Code 16&36 are sure opti issues.