1993 Opti Question
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,079
Likes: 1
From: Niagara Falls ON
1993 Opti Question
I recently replaced the waterpump and opti spark in my 1993 Corvette convertible. When I installed the opti I got it to set flush and it appeared to be installed correct. All wires are in the correct spot. The car will not start. Is is possible that the opti can sit flush but be in the wrong position on a 1993?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,706
Likes: 485
From: Everett WA
C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
I believe (may be incorrect) but on the earlier gen opti the key is not so much getting it to sit flush as the point that you must be able to place it in with "no force" .... if you have to force it to go in it is not correctly aligned.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,079
Likes: 1
From: Niagara Falls ON
I just wanted to make sure there was only one way that it could go in. I don't want to take it apart if I don't have to.
MSD opti-spark distributor as replacement.
Driving me nuts why it won't start. It turns over. All wiring is correct and I have verified it a few times.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 2,894
Likes: 592
From: New Port Richey FL
It was placed by hand with no force. I lined up the key. It sat flush then I put the bolts on.
I just wanted to make sure there was only one way that it could go in. I don't want to take it apart if I don't have to.
MSD opti-spark distributor as replacement.
Driving me nuts why it won't start. It turns over. All wiring is correct and I have verified it a few times.
I just wanted to make sure there was only one way that it could go in. I don't want to take it apart if I don't have to.
MSD opti-spark distributor as replacement.
Driving me nuts why it won't start. It turns over. All wiring is correct and I have verified it a few times.
I know this is NOT what you want to hear but New Opti's don't always work, So if your old one worked before removal take out the MSD out one drop in the old one Bolt it on wire it up turn the key for a 2 second a test run. if it runs return the MSD get a replacement or keep old one.
Last edited by s carter; Sep 23, 2018 at 07:43 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,079
Likes: 1
From: Niagara Falls ON
you may want to take a good look at the ICM harness, on my 93 I had some broken stands. after putting in 3+ Opti's in a month on the last one started the car for 2 Second test it ran Assembled rest of the way. While waiting for full temp. of coolant for top off I was neatening the Harnesses I jiggled the ICM harness car died. had someone crank while I moved wire car started. Spliced in ICM plug all is well now.
I know this is NOT what you want to hear but New Opti's don't always work, So if your old one worked before removal take out the MSD out one drop in the old one Bolt it on wire it up turn the key for a 2 second a test run. if it runs return the MSD get a replacement or keep old one.
I know this is NOT what you want to hear but New Opti's don't always work, So if your old one worked before removal take out the MSD out one drop in the old one Bolt it on wire it up turn the key for a 2 second a test run. if it runs return the MSD get a replacement or keep old one.
I suppose I will verity that I am getting spark all along the path.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,079
Likes: 1
From: Niagara Falls ON
I will look everything over again when I get a chance.
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Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: NEwhere Ohio
I recently replaced the waterpump and opti spark in my 1993 Corvette convertible. When I installed the opti I got it to set flush and it appeared to be installed correct. All wires are in the correct spot. The car will not start. Is is possible that the opti can sit flush but be in the wrong position on a 1993?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,621
Likes: 206
From: Orlando FL
All information above is correct.
Before you rip the opti off, check for spark and see if it is there. If it is there, you may have the shaft out of alignment.
If no spark, then you need to check for the 1-4 VAC drive from the ECM to the ICM.
Make sure you connected the temperature sensor in the water pump. If not connected or working properly it will make the mixture go real rich.
Also look at your digital temperature gauge on the speedometer and see what it reads. If it looks correct, then you probably are OK with that.
Before you rip the opti off, check for spark and see if it is there. If it is there, you may have the shaft out of alignment.
If no spark, then you need to check for the 1-4 VAC drive from the ECM to the ICM.
Make sure you connected the temperature sensor in the water pump. If not connected or working properly it will make the mixture go real rich.
Also look at your digital temperature gauge on the speedometer and see what it reads. If it looks correct, then you probably are OK with that.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
Likes: 3,216
From: Park City Utah
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,363
Likes: 429
From: Birmingham Al
I hate to say it but the HIGH DOLLOR one you just brought might be bad .. Double check everything and if you think its all good ,this happen to me years back BAD OPITI and was new .. It happens .. Yes the OPITI harness needs to be replaced first thing I would do ,they are fiber optic and can break on the inside . If going to be a Corvette guy ,this crap happens not all the time but dose happen way too often ,welcome to my world been working on these sweet rides ( NOT ) for over well scene 1965 and have only been in the nut house two time or is it 3-times ..LOL
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,549
Likes: 343
From: Glastonbury CT
The wire from the opti to the connector on the paassenger side cover did you verify pin connectors. The Delco i used on my 93 did not match so i cut the shrink tubing off the opti end and taped and marine RTV the end using the oem . Started up no problem. PM the Opti Doctor if you need rebuilding of your original unit which i highly recoment he can be found on this Forum. Any questions feel free to PM me.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
Likes: 3,216
From: Park City Utah
The damper only goes on one way. And even if you could put it on the wrong way, it wouldn't cause a no-start. You could start the car with no damper on there.