Help! Opti spark issue i think
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Help! Opti spark issue i think Hey, so this probably isnt the approriate forum for this but i have been having an issue with my 94 trans am lately. Sometimes if it has been sitting for a couple of days and it has been wet out it doesnt like to go over 2000 rpm. Like it just stops revving higher and the car kind of shakes. At first i thought it may be the transmission but my friend who is a mechanic said it sounded like a distributor issue. I remember the optispark is notriously bad so i just wanted some input on what you think it could be and if it is the optispark, if i need a whole new distributor or just the cap because its letting water in. anything is helpful, thanks!
Teching In
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Have you checked your fuel pump? They're equally as notorious and if you're getting spark at normal rpms and aren't missing at all I wouldn't start at the opti. Shbox has a fuel pressure diagnostic here Shbox Fuel Pressure Testing
Teching In
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Also... this is a sticky over at z28.com
Is Your Opti-Spark Failing?
LT1 owners have dealt with the Opti-Spark distributor for 11 years now, but there is still much confusion regarding the causes and symptoms of a failing unit. Tapping into the PCM with a scan tool is a good way to start, but sometimes no codes will be set. Before diving into the Opti-Spark, be sure to verify that your grounds are good and the coil and wires are not the source of the problem, as they are much easier to change.
Symptoms:
* Car suddenly dies and won't restart
* Starts but immediately dies
* Extended cranking to start
* Rough idle
* Sputtering
* Backfiring
* Trouble reaching higher rpm
* Black smoke from exhaust
* Poor performance with car warmed up
* Weak plug wire spark
* Codes 16, 36, and 42 may be set
Is Your Opti-Spark Failing?
LT1 owners have dealt with the Opti-Spark distributor for 11 years now, but there is still much confusion regarding the causes and symptoms of a failing unit. Tapping into the PCM with a scan tool is a good way to start, but sometimes no codes will be set. Before diving into the Opti-Spark, be sure to verify that your grounds are good and the coil and wires are not the source of the problem, as they are much easier to change.
Symptoms:
* Car suddenly dies and won't restart
* Starts but immediately dies
* Extended cranking to start
* Rough idle
* Sputtering
* Backfiring
* Trouble reaching higher rpm
* Black smoke from exhaust
* Poor performance with car warmed up
* Weak plug wire spark
* Codes 16, 36, and 42 may be set