edobi21

Hello to all first off, secondly i just recently purchased a 96 formula m6 with 80k and its been sitting for about a year in storage. When i get the car above 3500 it cuts out and dies. It atleast takes another 10 or so tries to get it running and the check engine light comes on when the car dies. I was wondering if anybody could tell me what might be wrong? Thanks

DAVE00

iTrader: (10)

Have it scanned and post up the codes, but my bet is on either the ICM or Opti as these are very common areas on our LT1 cars.

edobi21

The guy that i bought the car from is an auto mechanic and he said not too recently he replaced the opti and the water pump. The other thing is the car will start up run, but once you shut it off it wont restart for about another 45 min to an hour

DAVE00

iTrader: (10)

Take the ICM and coil off and have them tested at your local AP store. Also, get the codes scanned that will tell you right away as one of them might be a "DTC16 - Low Resolution Pulse" (Opti code) you never know as even a new opti can go bad or have been installed wrong. Start with the codes and post them up.

edobi21

ok i'll do that later tonight after i get the car running. Actually last weekend the car threw a crank position sensor code.

DAVE00

iTrader: (10)

We'll that could do it, did you ever get that fixed?

edobi21

the check engine light went away right after it was scanned and ran fine up until today, but didnt think much of it.

DAVE00

iTrader: (10)

The CPS can cause your symptoms and it may have been on it's way out. Get it scanned to double check and then if needed replace it and she how she does.

edobi21

ok thanks for the answers

edobi21

Well i replaced the crankshaft sensor and the car still wont run. Unable to get it to an auto store to be able to have the codes read.

DAVE00

iTrader: (10)

See if you can get a loaner scanner from your local AP store or get a cheap OBDII scanner from the store.

edobi21

well the car threw a p1371 code.

DAVE00

iTrader: (10)

Time for a new opti as that is the "low res" code from the opti. Also, your water pump is on it's way out and you need to do that at the same time. Very common on our lt1s to have the water from a bad wp take out the opti. I got the wp from your pm btw. Let me know if u need any advise or help as u can easily do both yourself.

edobi21

ok but the water pump was also recently replaced about 1000 miles.

DAVE00

iTrader: (10)

R U sure where it's leaking at the WP? Posssibly a loose hose on the WP or upper radiator hose neck? Get under there with it running and see if you can see where the leak is coming from. If it's coming out of the weep hole (hole at the bottom of the wp) then the WP is bad and needs to be replaced. The OPTI def needs to be replaced, but now check everything to make sure the WP is not bad too.

edobi21

Ok, but the car won't start so im pretty sure where ever the water came from completely destroyed the opti. We're just gonna tow the car to a gm dealer and have them look at it.

DAVE00

iTrader: (10)

NOOOOO - find a good inpependent mechanic in your area and have them look at it. The dealer is gonna rape you.

edobi21

but do you think that an independent mechanic would have better knowledge of the opti spark than a gm dealer?

DAVE00

iTrader: (10)

Yes and no - it depends on who you go to. Do you have any mechanical knowledge/skills or tools at all? Changing the WP is easy and can be done by a novice in a few hours. and the OPTI is extremely easy as well.

If not then where are you? Call around some shops or google a good mechanic in your area and look for good feedback/reviews? Then call them to see what their knowledge is on LT1's. Might be time to start learning your car and the LT1 more as it's a very easy motor to get to know and they are getting older so more maintenance is gonna be required.

pewter2002

iTrader: (4)

^x2 This fix can be performed by any competent mechanic for half the cost. Instead of towing etc, take a good look at your motor, check some how to sites (Installuniversity? etc) and maybe you can tackle it with help from a buddy?