I recently bought a 1995 model. Since day 1 it has been a little difficult to start, unlike my 92 model that would start immediately, but it always started. When it started, it blew grayish smoke out of the exhaust. I was loosing coolant, saw where the water pump was leaking so I replaced it. Since I have done that, it has been a bear to start. Up until now, it has started but has taken a while but now the gray smoke had a definite gasoline smell. And it would only occasionally start. Now for the last three days, the battery has died while trying to start it. Last night, it finally started and I was drove it around the block, after the corner heading home, the engine cut out. After a few minutes of trying, it restarted but once I got going, it quit again. When I got it home from my drive around the black, The battery was bad. I replaced the battery.....engine spins but does not start. I tested the fuel pressure and hit about 44psi and stayed there. I connected a new plug to a plug wire, had someone turn the car turn and watched for spark. I have spark, but it is orange and did not look like a strong spark. I replaced the ignitor and the coil still the engine spins but does not start.

When it is running, there is a little "bump" while idling, but pulls strong when accelerating and smooth at constant speed.

things I have so far:
tested fuel pressure and read 44 PSI
Cleaned the MAF sensor with MAF spray cleaner
replaced ignitor
replaced coil
measured injector resistance all were 16.3 +/- .2
replaced battery
I pulled the codes they are:
1. C12 ---,
4. ---
9. H85 ---
A. C61 C62 H24 H61 H62 ( I cannot find an explanation for C61 or H61)

At this point I am suspecting the opti but not sure since I actually do have spark.

Does anyone have any ideas....I am getting desparate here

 

Your symptoms are almost exactly like a friend of mine had. He never got an opti code (16 or 36) but in desperation (or frustration) he swapped in a new opti and then no more problems. His is also a 95 with the genII improved and vented opti.

 

OK, I put in a new optispark, coil, igniter..... and it starts now FINALLY however, I am now getting a service engine light, and some codes that are telling mem/cal error, code H44 & H45 along with the codes above. There is also a hestitation when I rev the engine from an idle. Anyone have ideas as to what I need to do, I am lost.