Jeff1904

Try to make a long story short basically a week ago i was driving my car started to back fire was ok but then got to the point to where it was almost not drive able took it to my dad we found my spark plug connectors were frayed and cut causing shorts making it misfire replaces the spark plugs and connectors fired her up and she ran perfect i have a 6 speed manual and the transition between the shifts has never felt as smooth as it was it was running perfect we went to get gas came back noticed it was leaking coolant we thought it was my thermostat housing on top of the water pump took it off put gasket sealer on the connection left it at my dads to dry he took it to make sure it was ready for me for school in the morning said he took a turn and hit a bump and the car backfired and then died shortly after and has never fired back up since.

Turns out my water pump failed and was leaking from the back okay got a new one cleaned the engine up still wont fire okay so checked fuel pressure is 40 psi replaced fuel filter replaced ICM replaced coil replaced spark plugs again the plugs are sparking great yes i am aware that the water pump leaked all over my old 94 style optispark but i still get spark i get great spark from all the plugs ive checked them all wouldn't i not get spark if it was faulty? Spraying carburetor fluid or whatever its called into the intake does not fire up the engine. Checked all fuses there fine all relays are fine. The security light is not lit up when i try to start the engine so i don't think vats is a issue ive never had a issue with vats yet the car has 123,000 miles. Really don't know what it could be the optispark would suck because the harmonic balancer has to come off right? All advice is appreciated i need help fast guys thanks!

NOTE: While cranking the engine cranks but cuts off for say .5 seconds real suddenly but keeps cranking it does this over and over about id say every 2-3 seconds of cranking, only sometimes does she crank and not cut out

Injuneer

Where are you checking for spark - at the plugs or at the coil wire?

Have you carefully dried the plug and coil wire terminals at the Opti?

Opti replacement requires removal of the water pump, and only the pulley/damper portion of the harmonic damper. The pulley/damper unbolts from the hub. Relatively easy to remove, while the hub stays in place on the crank snout.

Jeff1904

Both and yeah we got it it turned out to be the opti lol damn opti i opened it up and the sensor that spins im not sure what it is actulley but it was tore into pieces all inside so bought a new vented opti and it fired right up thanks for your help.

Injuneer

Do you mean the distributor rotor was exploded? Or do you mean the cam position sensor behind the metal cover was broken into pieces?

Jeff1904

Old thread and problem but so that it can be know what actually happened hear is a picture of my opti this is what I found when I took it off the engine and opened it up.

Injuneer

That would be the rotor, not a sensor.