Optispark victim needs help
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 111
Likes: 6
From: Lakewood CO
Optispark victim needs help
I'm sure you've all heard this one before but need to make some decisions. Driving my '92 vert yesterday and the enging died suddenly. As pure dumb luck would have it, I was coming down the hill directly in front of my neighborhood garage. Had just enough energy to pull right into his driveway. They diagnosed the optispark low pulse code and was some how able to reset it and send me on my way. This is not the original opti but a replacement several years ago. He said to expect more problems, maybe soon, mabe later. Question is do I bite the bullet and just go ahead a replace after one problem or hope it has disappeared. How did he reset it and what do I need to be able to reset it on my own? Thanks in advance-- the forum has helped my before, sorry I don't have the expertise to return the favor. Denver owners can usually see me at the Wed. night cruise in on Union St.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,683
Likes: 1
From: NY
Personally, I have never heard of "resetting" the Opti. As far as gambling on it crapping out on you again, my money says it could most definitely leave you stranded. I don't like those odds myself.
I am a bit surprised that it is causing you trouble and it's not that old. Was your waterpump replaced at the same time, or is that original to the car? Waterpumps like to leak right onto the moisture sensitive Optis.
A little more information would be helpful.....
I am a bit surprised that it is causing you trouble and it's not that old. Was your waterpump replaced at the same time, or is that original to the car? Waterpumps like to leak right onto the moisture sensitive Optis.
A little more information would be helpful.....
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,305
Likes: 11
From: Savannah Ga.
QUOTE-------------------------------------------------I am a bit surprised that it is causing you trouble and it's not that old. Was your waterpump replaced at the same time, or is that original to the car? Waterpumps like to leak right onto the moisture sensitive Optis.-----------------------------------------------------------
A little more information would be helpful...
--------------------------------------------------------------------
did you replace with new opti before??????
anyway you are on borrowed time ....a month ....two month....know way to tell...just be careful pulling out in trafic...vette might hesitate on you.....IMO.....get a new one!!!
Cruising
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
my '92 opti died at 16,000 miles about a year and a half ago. Gm's msrp on the unit is $642.xx, but you can find them for around $300 or less at gm parts direct, Doug Rippie, or other sources. What ever you do put a vacuum vent kit on the new one. They are available from GM and Mid America. You didn't state your car's mileage, but if you have over 60,000 on it I would replace your water pump as well. The flat rate from GM on this procedure is 8 hours labor!! Any decent mechanic can make the swap in 3 hours or less. Good luck.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,793
Likes: 9
From: VA
Originally Posted by ronkvette
Any decent mechanic can make the swap in 3 hours or less. Good luck.
But for the normal person who is a decent mechanic and hasn't done it before it is a weekend job.
Especially if you're going to do it right and do some cleaning and painting while you're in there.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: Huntley Illinois
St. Jude Donor '05
Water Pump Just went
I have a 92 auto with 74,000 miles. The water pump just went out as I was coming back from my emissions test. What luck. I have been reading through the forum and it seems I may be better off replacing my opti after such an event while I have the water pump off. Any input would be appreciated.
At least it passed emissions!
At least it passed emissions!
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,593
Likes: 0
From: Mobile AL
St. Jude Donor '05
Opti
There are several threads about Opti replacement. If I had mine to do over, I've go with aftermarket solid-state system. About the same price, but you'll never have to get into the Opti again. 
