LT1-LT4 Modifications 1993-97 Gen II Small Block V8

Car died while driving

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Old Dec 27, 2010 | 04:47 PM
  #1  
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Default Car died while driving

I pulled the car out today and it went about 100 feet and shut off while I was driving.

I tried to fire her up but it would only turn.

I pulled up another car and tried to jump it to no avail. Just cranking, no firing.

I took out the battery and took it up to advanced auto to charge. They said it did need to be charged, but I think that was a result of all my cranking.

Where should I start assuming the charged battery doesnt fix the problem?
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Old Dec 27, 2010 | 05:30 PM
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Sounds like your alternator went out and killed your battery
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Old Dec 27, 2010 | 05:36 PM
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Dare I say it... opty
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Old Dec 27, 2010 | 05:38 PM
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Originally Posted by LarsV8
I pulled the car out today and it went about 100 feet and shut off while I was driving.

I tried to fire her up but it would only turn.

I pulled up another car and tried to jump it to no avail. Just cranking, no firing.

I took out the battery and took it up to advanced auto to charge. They said it did need to be charged, but I think that was a result of all my cranking.

Where should I start assuming the charged battery doesnt fix the problem?

"at that moment where you turned the engine over untill the battery died, then hooked up jumper cables and expected a different result"
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Old Dec 27, 2010 | 05:40 PM
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LOL, if the motor turns freely without firing on a fully charged battery, it's going to be a fuel or spark issue (or lack thereof). Try some starting fluid first.

Last edited by Formula Freak; Dec 27, 2010 at 05:45 PM.
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Old Dec 27, 2010 | 05:57 PM
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Got battery back, fully charged.

I will try starter fluid in the TB now and see if its lack of fuel.
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Old Dec 27, 2010 | 06:00 PM
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Did it sputter out, or just die with no warning? I doubt it's fuel, sounds ignition related. Mine flat out died a few times (no sputtering, just died while driving) and it was a bad ICM.
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Old Dec 27, 2010 | 06:13 PM
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It didnt sputter, it just flat out cut off, after about 100 feet.

No dice on the starting fluid.

How do I start diagnosing spark?

Car has maybe 6 miles on it since fresh rebuild

New:
Thepartsladi opti
Autolites
MSD coil
MSD wires

Old:
ICM
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Old Dec 27, 2010 | 06:31 PM
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remove ICM take to parts dealer have it tested
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Old Dec 27, 2010 | 06:33 PM
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double check all connections ,check opti harness for corrosion
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Old Dec 27, 2010 | 06:34 PM
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http://shbox.com/1/4th_gen_tech2.html#opti_test
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Old Dec 27, 2010 | 06:34 PM
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http://shbox.com/1/coil_testing.jpg
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Old Dec 27, 2010 | 06:35 PM
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http://shbox.com/1/4th_gen_tech2.html#ICM_cooling
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Old Dec 27, 2010 | 06:35 PM
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http://shbox.com/1/pass_key.html
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Old Dec 27, 2010 | 06:46 PM
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Originally Posted by hitmanws6
Sounds like your alternator went out and killed your battery
This would not be the cause of the engine running and then shutting down. The OP did say he cranked the engine without it re-starting indicating the battery was OK. It ran down as a result of cranking without it starting.

Before taking everything apart, pull a spark plug cable from a spark plug, plug in an old spark plug and lay it on the intake manifold or somewhere metal. Have a buddy crank the engine and watch it for spark. Yes spark? Look at the fuel system, do you hear the fuel pump prime at key on before cranking? No spark? Do the same spark plug test with the spark wire coming off the coil going to the distributor. Still no spark? Find and check the 10 amp fuse under the hood.
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Old Dec 31, 2010 | 01:51 PM
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I noticed that the opti harness looks cracked where the plug enters the opti. Thats this piece right? Could that be my issue?

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Old Dec 31, 2010 | 01:55 PM
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check your coil and ICM first , But yes if that wire is bad it can cause it as well
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Old Dec 31, 2010 | 03:04 PM
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sounds like a vats issue
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Old Dec 31, 2010 | 04:18 PM
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Hmm I purchased a new harness just because mine was cracked and it doesnt appear to fit properly. I have a 95 and I bought the 1213-0319

from Shbox
1993-1994 optispark (non-vented)
electrical harness 12106559

1995-1997 optispark (vented)
electrical harness 12130319


The connector to the wiring harness



The plastic inserts are on opposite sides as opposed to both on one.
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Old Dec 31, 2010 | 05:07 PM
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Turned out to be a blown fuse on the ignition.

Appears to be the one that attached the EWP too. Is it possible that attaching the EWP is the cause?
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