ramermanz28

Ok here is the deal. Car died with no warning. Very hard to start back up and when it did I had to keep my foot on the gas to keep it running. I hooked up Datamaster to it and found code 36(hi res failure) and code 42(EST grounded). Took off the connector to opticrap and cleaned it very well at all connecting points. Plugged eveything back in and the code 42 went away but code 36 won't go away and car is still very hard to start and won't idle without keeping foot on the gas. Car still makes good power and has good throttle response. Opticrap has about 2500 miles on it if that, shattered the old one into little pieces during a hard run. Why won't the car idle right? and is this neccessarily the opti? Any info would be GREATLY appreciated before I spend more money on a new opti and a DELTECH or LTCC system. Thank you, Rob.

Ryan94ZA4

Did you put on a new water pump when you put on the new opti? If not, do you smell coolant or do you have to add regularly? Seen it before, put on a new opti only to have the h20 pump fail a week later....

Also, if it's a parts store opti, they are known to fail like this very soon.

Ryan

ramermanz28

I'm running an electric water pump. No leaks that I can see. I thought I had the problem fixed by bypassing the crane ignition box. The car would start right up without throwing any codes. Now I went back out and the car sarts better, but it's throwing code 36 and see an occational code 24(output low) whatever the hell that means! Looks like its back to the drawing board. If anyone else has any ideas I'm all ears. Thanks for the reply though. Keep em coming. Thanks, Rob.

Ryan94ZA4

24 is VSS. Before I replaced my ignition switch, I had all kinds of crazy stuff going on. I would start the car and it would miss like crazy then would smooth out after a minute or so. I got a high res failure and ICM grounded code out of it, too.

Ryan

ramermanz28

Are you saying that your ignition switch caused all your problems? You replaced it and all was well? Could you please elaborate on this. Thanks, Rob.

Ryan94ZA4

Yes, if you do a search on here, you will find the post that I made. I was having tons of problems with my wife's car. Another member told me they had a similar problem and it was their ignition switch. I had an extra in the garage so I pulled the plugs and plugged them into the other switch. Car fired right up and ran great. Put the switch in (verify it's bad before you do this, you may cuss...) and all's been well since.

Ryan

ramermanz28

Ok, for those of you that might have the same problem. I found a broken ground wire next to the coil mounted on the front side of the drivers side head. Repaired the ground and hooked the crane ignition box back up. Fired right up and no codes, so far. Those of you getting a code 36, this doesn't necessarily mean the Opti is bad. Be sure you check all your grounds and connections for moisture or corrosion before you give up on your Opti. However since I am on my third Opti I'm investing into the Delteq setup. Replacing two Opti's pays for the Delteq. All of us know if you hang on to these cars long enough you're going to replace the Opti. Thanks to all.

ramermanz28

Well, I'm back. I thought I had the problem fixed. Well I was wrong. Car ran great for a while, drive it ti work this morning with absolutely no problems. Car idled great and pulled hard. Went to start the car after work, about 12 hours later, and car would'nt start. Had to crank it for about 10 seconds before it would start. Then it ran rough and would'nt idle. I got it home and hooked up datamaster and saw code 36 and 42 again. Someone PLEASE help. I have no idea what to do. I am desperately asking for help, thanks again.

ramermanz28

Anybody?

tjwong

I can send you a diagnostic procedure for DTC 36 and 42 if you like. Code 36 is for a faulty high res or an extra low res signal from the opti. Code 42 is ignition control circuit problem.

ramermanz28

That would be great! I definately appreciate it. Is it the same procedure that's in the Chilton Manual? It is definately an intermintant fault, I can go start the car right now and it will fire right up. I talked to Brian from PCM for Less and he said it was the OPTI due to the HIGH RES FAILURE code. I don't want to replace the OPTI again if I don't need to. Plus I want to put the Delteq setup on the car and since the optical portion is all thats used I really don't want to drop another $300 on a new OPTI just for the optical pickup. Thanks alot, Rob.

SILVERZZ28

Did u try a new ignition switch? My car started acting up tonight. gives me a DTC42 DTC 63. It misses at low speeds and won't hardly idle or start without holding the throttle part open

ramermanz28

No, I haven't replaced the switch but you are not the first person to say that might be the problem. Are you going to replace yours? Let me know how it goes. Thanks, Rob.