Fuel and Ignition Fuel Pumps and Systems, Ignition and Spark Systems

Intermentant opti wireing problem

Old Mar 27, 2008 | 08:08 PM
  #1  
GreasyB's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 326
From: Topeka, KS
Intermentant opti wireing problem

I am pretty sure that my spark problem is wiring related to the optispark. Only problem is that it only happens when I have been driving it and it gets hot. I obviously dont want to go out driving and have it die again. How in the world do I check wiring when its an intermentant problem?
Old Mar 27, 2008 | 09:27 PM
  #2  
Injuneer's Avatar
Administrator
 
Joined: Nov 1998
Posts: 71,110
From: Hell was full so they sent me to NJ
If the Opti harness wire or connector is faulty, and causing intermittent problems, it should be setting the trouble codes for loss of high resolution (P0372) pulse and/or loss of low resolution (P1371) pulse. Have you scanned it? The codes will stay stored long enough to allow you to check them, even if the problem is intermittent.
Old Mar 27, 2008 | 09:35 PM
  #3  
GreasyB's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 326
From: Topeka, KS
It shows a p1371 code. But like if I mess with the wires every once in a while it'll start back up and run fine. But somtimes it just dont want to go. It usualy happens when the engine bay is good and hot though. I dont really want to go drive it to replicate it and have to tow it again. Is there any way I can check the wiring with all of it working properly? Or can you think of a way to maybe make it do it again sitting in the garage?
Old Mar 27, 2008 | 10:03 PM
  #4  
Injuneer's Avatar
Administrator
 
Joined: Nov 1998
Posts: 71,110
From: Hell was full so they sent me to NJ
Did you pull the harness connector off, to check for corrosion and/or bent pins? Common problem.... big glob of icky blue corrosion on the harness connector.
Old Mar 27, 2008 | 10:25 PM
  #5  
shoebox's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Dec 1969
Posts: 27,728
From: Little Rock, AR
Fiddle with the harness while the engine is idling. Maybe that will give you some insight.
Old Mar 27, 2008 | 11:33 PM
  #6  
GreasyB's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 326
From: Topeka, KS
Originally Posted by shoebox
Fiddle with the harness while the engine is idling. Maybe that will give you some insight.
I tryed that, didnt work. Might try again tomarrow. Do you guys think it still could be the opti itself and just for some strange reason it decided to start after messing with harness?
Old Mar 27, 2008 | 11:34 PM
  #7  
GreasyB's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 326
From: Topeka, KS
Originally Posted by Injuneer
Did you pull the harness connector off, to check for corrosion and/or bent pins? Common problem.... big glob of icky blue corrosion on the harness connector.
Connector looked fine. Wires seemed a bit heat corroded but did not look bad. I kinda want to try to replace the pig tail on the harness first. Does anybody have a part # for it? Not the opti harness but the pigtail that harness connects to.
Old Mar 27, 2008 | 11:38 PM
  #8  
GreasyB's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 326
From: Topeka, KS
Originally Posted by Injuneer
Did you pull the harness connector off, to check for corrosion and/or bent pins? Common problem.... big glob of icky blue corrosion on the harness connector.
Oh and also, what is this blue stuff you speak of. Got a link?
Old Mar 28, 2008 | 08:13 AM
  #9  
Injuneer's Avatar
Administrator
 
Joined: Nov 1998
Posts: 71,110
From: Hell was full so they sent me to NJ
You can get a complete vented Opti harness, from the gray connector to the Opti, from Casper. Summit has it for $34. The dealer will want about $120.

http://store.summitracing.com/egnsea...=KeywordSearch

I've never had the blue corrosion, but numerous people have reported it. It isn't unusual for copper parts to corrode badly when sulfuric acid from a leaking or overheating battery gets on them, and forms copper sulfate, which is blue. Or, perhaps its from the ozone, generated by the high voltage sparks in the cap, venting out the wire tower and corroding the parts.
Old Mar 28, 2008 | 10:00 PM
  #10  
GreasyB's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 326
From: Topeka, KS
Originally Posted by Injuneer
You can get a complete vented Opti harness, from the gray connector to the Opti, from Casper. Summit has it for $34. The dealer will want about $120.

http://store.summitracing.com/egnsea...=KeywordSearch

I've never had the blue corrosion, but numerous people have reported it. It isn't unusual for copper parts to corrode badly when sulfuric acid from a leaking or overheating battery gets on them, and forms copper sulfate, which is blue. Or, perhaps its from the ozone, generated by the high voltage sparks in the cap, venting out the wire tower and corroding the parts.
I just replaced that part of the wiring. Do you by any chance have the part # for the pig tail that the opti harness connects into though?
Old Mar 28, 2008 | 10:22 PM
  #11  
shoebox's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Dec 1969
Posts: 27,728
From: Little Rock, AR
Originally Posted by GreasyB
I just replaced that part of the wiring. Do you by any chance have the part # for the pig tail that the opti harness connects into though?
It's the engine harness that the opti harness connects to. You might be able to find a compatible connector for replacement, but I am not aware of any pigtail available.
Old Mar 28, 2008 | 11:44 PM
  #12  
GreasyB's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 326
From: Topeka, KS
Originally Posted by shoebox
It's the engine harness that the opti harness connects to. You might be able to find a compatible connector for replacement, but I am not aware of any pigtail available.
Just my luck I guess. Do you think I could get one out of a junk yard? I am just almost positive its in that part of the wiring..
Old Mar 30, 2008 | 07:57 PM
  #13  
GreasyB's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 326
From: Topeka, KS
Anybody know of any connector that will work?
Old Mar 31, 2008 | 06:25 PM
  #14  
GreasyB's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 326
From: Topeka, KS
I think I may have found a connector that might work. GM part # is 15306009. Let me know what you guys think.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
dbusch22
Forced Induction
6
Oct 31, 2016 11:09 AM
Alex Barnes
LT1 Based Engine Tech
16
Jan 24, 2015 10:21 PM
Injuneer
LT1 Based Engine Tech
5
Dec 15, 2014 09:36 AM
Brett 91 RS LT1
LT1 Based Engine Tech
5
Mar 12, 2003 10:02 PM
GigaMp3z
LT1 Based Engine Tech
16
Feb 20, 2003 02:57 PM


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:55 AM.