1996 Trans Am no start
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
1996 Trans Am no start Yesterday I bought a 1996 Trans Am that was a no start the previous owner said the OptiSpark failed. I bought a new OptiSpark unit and installed it, mounted the balancer but not the water pump yet as I wanted to see if it would fire. I cranked it and it still will not start and has no injector pulse from what I can tell but it was hard to see the noid light. The previous owner said it was converted to 94 OBD1 and it does have the splined OptiSpark.
Any pointers or ideas on what to check will be much appreciated. Also if anyone has any ideas on what I can use to see the data and codes I would be much appreciative. All my scan tools are OBD2 only.
Any pointers or ideas on what to check will be much appreciated. Also if anyone has any ideas on what I can use to see the data and codes I would be much appreciative. All my scan tools are OBD2 only.
Launching!
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 211
Likes: 35
The opti harness was connected correct? Chances are pretty good you got a DOA opti and most will be from parts stores and online. You need to either find a genuine gm opti with the Mitsubishi sensor or order a Petris unit. Everything else will be a losing crapshoot.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
I was able to fix the issue, what I found was several wires at the PCM were corroded and the PCM was missing the knock module cover and had water in it. I repaired the corroded terminals and replaced the PCM and was able to get it running, I am still working out other bugs with it but so far is has been running really good since I did the wire repairs.
Teching In
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 34
Likes: 12
From: Camp lejeune NC
Yesterday I bought a 1996 Trans Am that was a no start the previous owner said the OptiSpark failed. I bought a new OptiSpark unit and installed it, mounted the balancer but not the water pump yet as I wanted to see if it would fire. I cranked it and it still will not start and has no injector pulse from what I can tell but it was hard to see the noid light. The previous owner said it was converted to 94 OBD1 and it does have the splined OptiSpark.
Any pointers or ideas on what to check will be much appreciated. Also if anyone has any ideas on what I can use to see the data and codes I would be much appreciative. All my scan tools are OBD2 only.
Any pointers or ideas on what to check will be much appreciated. Also if anyone has any ideas on what I can use to see the data and codes I would be much appreciative. All my scan tools are OBD2 only.
Teching In
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 34
Likes: 12
From: Camp lejeune NC
I was able to fix the issue, what I found was several wires at the PCM were corroded and the PCM was missing the knock module cover and had water in it. I repaired the corroded terminals and replaced the PCM and was able to get it running, I am still working out other bugs with it but so far is has been running really good since I did the wire repairs.
