94 Changing Optispark, WPump, Plugs, wires, etc...
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 148
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From: DFW Tx
St. Jude Donor '08
94 Changing Optispark, WPump, Plugs, wires, etc...
On a rare occasion, once my car warms up, and when I have the a/c on, at stop lights it will surge at idle, and act like it wants to take off, and seems to hunt for the correct idle level.
It doesn't do this all the time, but is more pronounced if the car is warm, say after is been driven about 20 or 30 minutes. It rarely happens with the a/c off, no matter how long I drive.
I have searched the forum, and see that most people think it is the optispark, so I plan to replace mine. Car is a 94 with 63K miles.
Was looking in the Mid America catalog at the optispark, and see the opti-spark distributor unit, and then a cap kit. What does the distributor cap kit do, and do I need one of those too?
Anything else you would replace while changing the optispark, water pump, plugs, plug wires...
Thanks in advance for your help.
Greg :auto:
It doesn't do this all the time, but is more pronounced if the car is warm, say after is been driven about 20 or 30 minutes. It rarely happens with the a/c off, no matter how long I drive.
I have searched the forum, and see that most people think it is the optispark, so I plan to replace mine. Car is a 94 with 63K miles.
Was looking in the Mid America catalog at the optispark, and see the opti-spark distributor unit, and then a cap kit. What does the distributor cap kit do, and do I need one of those too?
Anything else you would replace while changing the optispark, water pump, plugs, plug wires...
Thanks in advance for your help.
Greg :auto:
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 755
Likes: 42
From: Sierra Foothills, State of Jefferson
Re: 94 Changing Optispark, WPump, Plugs, wires, etc... (Texas Vette)
(I'm on Opti #2 @ 90K miles, and have a funny feeling I will be going through this procedure soon.... :cry )
However....
I would suggest looking into a Dyna Spark as an Opti replacement- I'm leaning that way.. You search the forum and see lots of opinions.
For the water pump, maybe an electric- you probably won't have to worry about it dying and dumping coolant all over the distributor.
Going further - are you plannng on changing the cam very soon? This may be a good time to do it, or have it done if a mechanic is doing the work.
And to answer your question about the Opti cap or the whole unit, I would replace the entire unit. Again, you can do a search on this and read about the corroded bearings and other stuff.
Good luck!
However....
I would suggest looking into a Dyna Spark as an Opti replacement- I'm leaning that way.. You search the forum and see lots of opinions.
For the water pump, maybe an electric- you probably won't have to worry about it dying and dumping coolant all over the distributor.
Going further - are you plannng on changing the cam very soon? This may be a good time to do it, or have it done if a mechanic is doing the work.
And to answer your question about the Opti cap or the whole unit, I would replace the entire unit. Again, you can do a search on this and read about the corroded bearings and other stuff.
Good luck!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 2,501
Likes: 177
From: Houston, Texas FEAR THE BONES
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Re: 94 Changing Optispark, WPump, Plugs, wires, etc... (KurtK)
You will save mucho dinero if you order your H2O pump and Opti from Chris @ Superior Chevrolet. Do a search to find his phone number. I think the water pump is around $145 and Opti is around $260. There are countless prior posts on this repair -- do a search for some great info and tips. :seeya
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 113
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From: los angeles ca
Re: 94 Changing Optispark, WPump, Plugs, wires, etc... (Texas Vette)
Frankly, I don't see the connection between an ignition problem (opti) and your idle hunting when the AC is on. IMHO, the ECM is programmed to increase idle slightly when the AC is on to compensate for the additional load imposed by the AC compressor. This is very common to other vehicles. I would check into this system relationship for any defects. As for some day replacing your opti, I would look at the Deltaq Opti-Direct Solution before settling on the DTE Dyna Spark unit, it still your call though.
