Think I got the "Optispark Blues." Help!!!
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Think I got the "Optispark Blues." Help!!!
My 1992 LT1 Coupe died suddenly on the way home from work Monday evening. The car will crank, but will NOT run. I called AAA and had the car towed home via a flatbed recovery vehicle.
I think it might be the Optispark. The water pump weep hole is DRY and there are NO telltale signs like coolant flung on the underside of hood, NO coolant odor OR puddles ponding underneath the vehicle.
I think the Opti just died of old age. There HAD been a slight, low RPM miss, but it quickly disappeared under load and the car never sputtered, coughed or missed a beat up until now.
I checked the ECM, but the ONLY codes I get are 12 (normal code the unit emits when transmitting its diagnostic data) but that's ALL. Does this sound like a dead Opti to you? The only other thing I can think to try is the ignition module. Where is it located and how do I inspect/test it?
Any advice or recommendations at this point are greatly appreciated. I hope I can get the car back on the road in time for CI-V in BG... :(
[Modified by onedef92, 8:16 AM 3/18/2004]
I think it might be the Optispark. The water pump weep hole is DRY and there are NO telltale signs like coolant flung on the underside of hood, NO coolant odor OR puddles ponding underneath the vehicle.
I think the Opti just died of old age. There HAD been a slight, low RPM miss, but it quickly disappeared under load and the car never sputtered, coughed or missed a beat up until now.
I checked the ECM, but the ONLY codes I get are 12 (normal code the unit emits when transmitting its diagnostic data) but that's ALL. Does this sound like a dead Opti to you? The only other thing I can think to try is the ignition module. Where is it located and how do I inspect/test it?
Any advice or recommendations at this point are greatly appreciated. I hope I can get the car back on the road in time for CI-V in BG... :(
[Modified by onedef92, 8:16 AM 3/18/2004]
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Re: Think I got the "Optispark Blues." Help!!! (onedef92)
dead? as in no spark? I am more willing to bet coil.
if the opti has been kept dry, ie, not driven in rain, they are quite durable. Also, they are not noted for just "quitting" like that.
check the coil assembly - coil and ignitor - and coil wire, first.
check back for additional recommendations, ****. :D
if the opti has been kept dry, ie, not driven in rain, they are quite durable. Also, they are not noted for just "quitting" like that.
check the coil assembly - coil and ignitor - and coil wire, first.
check back for additional recommendations, ****. :D
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St. Jude Donor '03
Re: Think I got the "Optispark Blues." Help!!! (bogus)
dead? as in no spark? I am more willing to bet coil.
if the opti has been kept dry, ie, not driven in rain, they are quite durable. Also, they are not noted for just "quitting" like that.
check the coil assembly - coil and ignitor - and coil wire, first.
check back for additional recommendations, ****. :D
if the opti has been kept dry, ie, not driven in rain, they are quite durable. Also, they are not noted for just "quitting" like that.
check the coil assembly - coil and ignitor - and coil wire, first.
check back for additional recommendations, ****. :D
Also check the Battery positive for corosion. I know that sounds silly but my 92 just upped and quit on me once and it was the positive terminal not making a good connection. Those side battery sticks suck.
It doesn't seem like Opti because usually it wont just die. You will get a good amount of missing first. I know I've had two of em go, ****. :lol:
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
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From: Delray Beach FL
Re: Think I got the "Optispark Blues." Help!!! (bogus)
dead? as in no spark? I am more willing to bet coil.
if the opti has been kept dry, ie, not driven in rain, they are quite durable. Also, they are not noted for just "quitting" like that.
check the coil assembly - coil and ignitor - and coil wire, first.
check back for additional recommendations, ****. :D
if the opti has been kept dry, ie, not driven in rain, they are quite durable. Also, they are not noted for just "quitting" like that.
check the coil assembly - coil and ignitor - and coil wire, first.
check back for additional recommendations, ****. :D
:smash:
BTW, the ignition control module is mounted right to the coil, on the passenger side, on the front side of the head, between the head and the p/s res.
[Modified by Whitvette, 9:50 AM 3/18/2004]
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Re: Think I got the "Optispark Blues." Help!!! (Whitvette)
OK, the coil and the ignition module are TWO separate components, right? It would seem the consensus of the Forum is go for the coil first, so I guess I'll replace it first.
The coil runs about $25, whereas the ignition module runs between $75 to $100 locally.
Can anyone take a picture and post to help me distinguish the difference in parts and locations?
My F-body buddy Jeremy Stayton's in Northern CA. until Tuesday and I'd like to begin my preliminary troubleshooting this weekend if possible. Thanks for all your help. :thumbs:
The coil runs about $25, whereas the ignition module runs between $75 to $100 locally.
Can anyone take a picture and post to help me distinguish the difference in parts and locations?
My F-body buddy Jeremy Stayton's in Northern CA. until Tuesday and I'd like to begin my preliminary troubleshooting this weekend if possible. Thanks for all your help. :thumbs:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
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Re: Think I got the "Optispark Blues." Help!!! (onedef92)
Also, don 't waste your time/money on an after market coil for a stock motor that has stock plug wires. I tried an MSD BlasterGM coil on my '95 and it felt like it lost some low end grunt. Stock coil is best on stock engines I beleive. The coil and module both mount to a large heat sink which is bolted to the front of the passenger side cylinder head. At least that is where it is on mine :yesnod:
Best of luck in the upcoming swap-out :smash:
[Modified by Lone Ranger, 2:51 PM 3/18/2004]
Best of luck in the upcoming swap-out :smash:
OK, the coil and the ignition module are TWO separate components, right? It would seem the consensus of the Forum is go for the coil first, so I guess I'll replace it first.
The coil runs about $25, whereas the ignition module runs between $75 to $100 locally.
Can anyone take a picture and post to help me distinguish the difference in parts and locations?
My F-body buddy Jeremy Stayton's in Northern CA. until Tuesday and I'd like to begin my preliminary troubleshooting this weekend if possible. Thanks for all your help. :thumbs:
The coil runs about $25, whereas the ignition module runs between $75 to $100 locally.
Can anyone take a picture and post to help me distinguish the difference in parts and locations?
My F-body buddy Jeremy Stayton's in Northern CA. until Tuesday and I'd like to begin my preliminary troubleshooting this weekend if possible. Thanks for all your help. :thumbs:
[Modified by Lone Ranger, 2:51 PM 3/18/2004]
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From: Boston, Dallas, Detroit, SoCal, back to Boston MA
Re: Think I got the "Optispark Blues." Help!!! (Lone Ranger)
Get the GM manuals.
Not only does it have pictures of everything, but it has the same testing procedures that the GM mechanics use.
I'd hate to see you replace perfectly good parts.
Not only does it have pictures of everything, but it has the same testing procedures that the GM mechanics use.
I'd hate to see you replace perfectly good parts.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
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From: Delray Beach FL
Re: Think I got the "Optispark Blues." Help!!! (onedef92)
The yellow circle shows the area where the coil and ignition control module are located. The coil is the part with the coil wire attached. The coil wire end looks like a spark plug wire end going to a distributor.
:cheers:
[Modified by Whitvette, 4:15 PM 3/18/2004]
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Re: Think I got the "Optispark Blues." Help!!! (Lone Ranger)
Like Craig, I installed the MSD Blaster coil, but with excellent results. I also installed new plugs, wires, and replaced the opti. Inshort, I replaced the entire ignition system.
Optis usually give you some notice of what's to come. I'd look at the simple things first. How was the gas from your last pit stop?(any water?) When you turn the key on, can you hear the fuel pump? Is everything connected under the hood? Check the grounds. A little corroution can shut everything down. Pull the easiest spark plug and check it for spark. No spark; check the plug connection leading to the opti and trace the harness back to look for any trouble.
I, too, say for you to buy a Helms Service Manual if you plan on doing things yourself.
:chevy
Optis usually give you some notice of what's to come. I'd look at the simple things first. How was the gas from your last pit stop?(any water?) When you turn the key on, can you hear the fuel pump? Is everything connected under the hood? Check the grounds. A little corroution can shut everything down. Pull the easiest spark plug and check it for spark. No spark; check the plug connection leading to the opti and trace the harness back to look for any trouble.
I, too, say for you to buy a Helms Service Manual if you plan on doing things yourself.
:chevy
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Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Chandler AZ
Re: Think I got the "Optispark Blues." Help!!! (onedef92)
Please don't spend any money till you do one test first. I had my opti die completely without any warning whatsoever! Under hard acceleration at that moment, no less. Scared the crap outta me since it backfired very violently given the conditions. What happened? The rotor came loose inside the distributor. Instant game over. Cranked, no restart, obviously.
Now, the test: take the coil wire out of the opti and hold it to the block or some solid metal nearby and have a friend click the key just for a moment. Get spark, good coil, bad opti. Simple. It's how I diagnosed mine instantly after buying an obd2 code scanner and getting nothing. If you have no spark, then look at the coil replacement. I really hope this help you.
David
P.S. My opti had almost 73k when it died.
Now, the test: take the coil wire out of the opti and hold it to the block or some solid metal nearby and have a friend click the key just for a moment. Get spark, good coil, bad opti. Simple. It's how I diagnosed mine instantly after buying an obd2 code scanner and getting nothing. If you have no spark, then look at the coil replacement. I really hope this help you.
David
P.S. My opti had almost 73k when it died.
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St. Jude Donor '03
Re: Think I got the "Optispark Blues." Help!!! (cross-fire)
Please don't spend any money till you do one test first. I had my opti die completely without any warning whatsoever! Under hard acceleration at that moment, no less. Scared the crap outta me since it backfired very violently given the conditions. What happened? The rotor came loose inside the distributor. Instant game over. Cranked, no restart, obviously.
Now, the test: take the coil wire out of the opti and hold it to the block or some solid metal nearby and have a friend click the key just for a moment. Get spark, good coil, bad opti. Simple. It's how I diagnosed mine instantly after buying an obd2 code scanner and getting nothing. If you have no spark, then look at the coil replacement. I really hope this help you.
David
P.S. My opti had almost 73k when it died.
Now, the test: take the coil wire out of the opti and hold it to the block or some solid metal nearby and have a friend click the key just for a moment. Get spark, good coil, bad opti. Simple. It's how I diagnosed mine instantly after buying an obd2 code scanner and getting nothing. If you have no spark, then look at the coil replacement. I really hope this help you.
David
P.S. My opti had almost 73k when it died.
Thats probably the best NoOb post I have ever seen. Very nice and informative. :cool:
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Re: Think I got the "Optispark Blues." Help!!! (VictorRussell'92)
Check the fuel pump. If Fuel press is good then start on the opti. Look for low res signal on a tech 1 or 2 if you can get access to one.
