I’ve seen posts about this before I’ve just had the worst time with my camaro. It’s got a code it threw awhile back for high/low resolution pulse or faulty low resolution pulse in the ignition. I found a broken ground wire that I think goes to the stud on the ignition control module stud which I could get a new end for it and splice it back on but I’m not good with electronics. I’ll upload a picture of it soon. Basically the car will run for 15ish minutes or so until it warms up then will randomly die. After it dies I have to wait probably 40minutes before it will run again. I replaced the ignition coil and the code went away so I drove it and floored it once to see how it did and as soon as I hit about 4500rpm the whole car died and I had to get it home after waiting probably an hour and starting it up again. I’m at a loss to what the problem is. I also replaced the pigtail to the distributor because I thought that was the issue but it’s brand new. Any help would be appreciated. And if anyone knows a lot about these cars in the Phoenix area I would pay somebody to help me figure it out.

 

What were the specific numerical codes? DTC 16 for loss of low resolution pulse signal from the cam position sensor inside the distributor causes the engine to shut down when it sets. The PCM needs that signal to time the ignition and the fuel injection. If the engine is running and you pull that code, it means it’s a stored code, possibly set last time the engine shut down.

Sounds like a heat soak problem. This can be due to the ignition control module (ICM), the cam sensor in the distributor, or even the fuel pump.

What brand is the “brand new” Optispark distributor? Did you have this problem BEFORE you replaced it?

 

You should have two harness ground wires (one is double) plus a ground strap connected to the coil bracket stud on the driver side head. Here's Shoebox’s photo of the harness end near the ICM:

http://shbox.com/1/harness7.jpg

http://shbox.com/1/coil_loc.jpg

 

The distributor is not new and it’s the only one I’ve had on the car for 6 years of owning it. I only replaced all the plugs and wires and put a new ignition coil on. I have a picture of the wires that go on the left stud looking at the icm from the front of the car as well as all the codes I pulled off the car from when it was last driven months ago. Also the fuel pump is only a year old. Here’s the pictures.

There’s the 2 big wires and the bare one with no fitting on the end.

 

GROUNDS:

I can't look at my Formula because I deleted the ICM 20 years ago and grounds were moved. The factory service manual indicates:
- two tan/white wires joined together at one ring (PCM)
- black wire from a splice that connects A/C clutch, ICM, both O2's.
- ground strap from frame rail (picks up cruise control ground from rail)

Clean up the grounds. The PCM has redundant grounds, so they may or may not be an issue. Obviously, if the ICM loses its ground, the engine won't run.


CODES:

The engine should run OK w/ DTC 36. Timing may be very slightly off, but not enough to notice. If the Opti pigtail was a problem, this could be a stored code.

DTC 48 sets when the MAF signal does not reach the PCM. The PCM will default to speed-density, and you may nor even notice. If you disconnected the MAF at any time with the engine running, this could be a stored code.

Clear the codes (pull IGN BAT fuse in under hood box for 30 seconds) and see what comes back next time it stalls.

DTC 42 is a nasty code to sort out. But because of the heat soak issue with the ICM bolted to the head, it is often a problem. You need to take the ICM to a parts store and have it tested. Make sure they get it good and hot.