Can someone help me with this one? I was driving down the street, gave it some gas and it just died Recently replaced ignition module and coil then this
Anyway I jumped the AB on the code reader as instructed and it came up as a 16. Anyone tell me what I'm in for?
Thanks.

 

low res from the optispark.

how many miles?

 

120k, replaced the opti and wires last summer, has about 1k miles on it,
I think it has something to do with a crankshaft sensor?

 

Yeah the opti is going bad, check the water for leaks, the usual culprit.

 

check the water for leaks

 

Sorry, at the water pump thats what takes out the opti.

 

ohh the water pump, for leaks?! Nope no leaks visable.

 

Also the oil seal in the opti will go bad and contaminate the optical wheel inside the opti thus code 16.

 

So its possible that the seal went bad in under a year? If that is the case I know my mech will replace it, however I was hoping it would be a little more simple

 

Things are definitely looking up!

 

A little more info - Here's what is going on . . . I don't drive the car much during the winter here and periodically start her up in the garage just to keep things "running" ha ha. The last time I did this, had to charge the battery, no prob, car started- no problem, come back outside 10 min later, the car is not running. Wife didn't shut it off, tried to start, would turn over, but not fire.
Ran the battery down again trying. Charge battery prepare myself to be frustrated and was, still no fire. Checked the fuel pump, got pressure and its running. Checked for spark from the plug wires, no spark. Since we changed the opti last summer and put less than 1k on it didn't think that could be the prob. SO Changed the coil and the ig. module. Fired right up, but I didn't have time to drive it. Was going to take it out yesterday, turned over no start, same as before. Was going to pull the trouble code and call the mechanic, and thought what the hell, the car fired right up, drove it t the car wash (I know what you're thinking) No water on the opti, actually left the car running while I washed it. Left the car wash, heading home, decided to drop my left foot a bit and the car just bogged and died. Turned over without firing, took the plug off no spark, good fuel pressure. As I'm writing this I'm growing more on the fault opti idea. Called the chevy service dept, they think it is the AIR system. No clue about that one.
Any thoughts on the recent chapter to my novel?

 

which begs the question, what are the advantages to upgrading to the vented opti? I've seen many members talk about it here.
Thanks

 

1) Check your coil wire. It starts at the coil and wraps around the opti to connect. They are prone to friction related failure.

2) The venting keeps moisture from building up, by creating a positive vacuum pressure inside the unit - atleast whilst it is running. The idea is simple - if moisture cannot get it, it cannot harm the high voltage side. Another trick is to RTV the optispark where the cap meets the body. It will keep coolant from leaching in, whenever the waterpump decides to leak out of the weap hole...

another suggestion, add a drain line to the weap hole, it will allow coolant to run around the opti, instead of on it.

Was this a new GM Opti? Or a remanned unit? if it was remanned, they are noted for being bad...


[Modified by bogus, 10:51 AM 6/17/2004]

 

I think it was a new AC/Delco unit, but may have been a rebuild -
Thanks for the info I will talk to the mech and see what we can do about it
I want to RUN :mad

 

a new one, from the dealer is upwards of $600.00!!!!

 

WOW - deja vu!

Try this - when she's cold - start her up - go get a cold one and sit and watch the temp gauges - bet you when she gets warm, she'll stumble and die - no restart.

Check the archives under my "handle" HOMER308 (if you can use the search function in C4 Tech - I haven't had much luck lately)- I had the same problem on my '92. One year old opti - changed coil, coil driver, even the damn ECM because it COULDN'T be that again - even took it to Goodwrench where I spent about $900 for injectors and other things I really didn't need!

In the end it was the opti! It was a reman and apparently when they rebuild those things they check them cold - not hot - when the engine got to temp, something in the electronics went and took the spark output with it!

I bought a NEW AC-DELCO from Jason Cromer at Sam Taylor in FL (www.samtaylor.com) - it was $280 DELIVERED - damn good price! And yeah, I installed it myself - not a sign of a problem since!

 

I am having a similar problem... I just hope it ain't the opti! However, I have LTCC, and the module had been corrupted by water, so I am thinking that might be the cause of the problem... Gotta take it one step at a time!

BTW, My opti was new, GM, 3 years ago....

 

That sounds Exactly like what is happening to me, Thanks for your input

 

Just going thru this myself. Same symptoms. Gave it the gas, it sputtered, died, and is dead. Opti bad. Code 16-no low res signal. I traced it with scope and VOM down to the connector on the opti. Low res and hi res should go between 0 and 5 volts as engine rotates. Mine shows pulses o hi res, steady 5 volts on low res. It will probably be some crap on the optical sensor, but will change te opti, and water pump while I'm at it, but can't seem to find one in stock anywhere. Found the optispark on ebay, brand new for $250.

Bit it isn't the AIR system. That must have been ab ASE certified tech that told you that.

Do you have a shop manual? The checkout procedure is all in there. But code 16 is telling all...except that you might have a loose connector on the opti. Before anything else, I'd pull it and reset it. If no pulses from the opti low res, you can change all the coils you want, and it won't make a bit of difference...

Good luck to us both.

GeorgeC

 

$391 at gmpartsdirect.com

-GC