I did a search and could not find any info so here goes....

I was sitting idling in traffic when my car died. No ses light or anything...So I attempt to start it back up and all it does is sputter attempting to run and then dies. I let it sit and the same thing happens. It runs like the ignition is off and it is dieseling from unburned gas. Is that a bad opti?

 

I forgot to add it was running perfect took the drive there no problem. just immediately died and refused to run above 100 rpms even when I gave it gas.

 

Could be lots of things, check for a bad coil wire, plug wires, loose ground, bad fuel pump, clogged fuel filter, etc first. Save the Opti for last...

 

heres what I've done in the past month

new wires new coil new fuel filter. When it tries to start I do get a smell of gas so that rules out the pump. I havent't checked the coil yet or the icm but it just instantly died, it ran flawless with no hesitation or anything that led to it's demise. I will be ripped if it is something like the icm or coil considering she is already apart and awaiting the new opti from jason

 

Did you do those things trying to solve the problem, or were they done before? If so, just double check them all...especially the coil wire/coil connections...also, the 4 pin opti harness is known to be a problem too. Good luck, I'd certainly check everything else before doing the opti...an expensive/painful lesson. Be sure to install it correctly, just ask SnorkelFace on this board...

 

Could be the Ignition Control Module.

-Tony

 

the new opti is supposed to be here today so I got my fingers crossed! I'll let you guys know either way..By the way for those who have done it...Did you notice how hard it was to spin the opti's internals with the gear? I had to use extreme force to get it to turn so I think it was the case that it was the opti because I would think that it should spin the internals rather easy?? I think it siezed internally by rust or something. I also took the cam drive gear out on an accident and noticed there was only 2 ways it went back on the key facing 11:00 or 5:00 so thank god there is almost no way you can put the dam thing on wrong lke old distributors!! Also how rusted the inside of the keyway was on my opti it slid right off but when I attempted to mate it again so I could see the relationship between the 2 it struggled like it did not want to be back on the motor even when I put it in the right way!!

 

I sure hope this fixes your problem, mine is doing the exact same thing. runs fine at 2000 and above, but it will die at lower rpms. Mine got worse and worse, to where I can't even drive it.

 

A good opti will spin pretty freely...hopefully you've found your culprit! Of course, when you get the new one you'll be able to compare them. Good luck,

 

the sprocket that connects the opti to the engine; there is only 2 ways it connects into the block right?

 

It's been quite awhile since I've seen a 94 Opti, but I believe it was keyed so there was only 1 way it could fit. Just be sure to study it carefully and reinstall EXACTLY as it came off. Make sure the housing sits flush to the block without being forced or pulled in with the bolts. I'm sure someone more familiar with the splined ones will reply.

I know the vented one CAN be installed incorrectly and appear ok, something we learned a few weeks ago, up until then I didn't think it was possible.

 

when I pulled the key by accident I noticed that it was shaped in a way that there was a keyway like the old style crankshafts had where it only can be installed one way. I took it out and tried putting it back in several ways and it would not go in until it was lined up again. I was only curious because the opti was out when I lined the crankshaft up to reflect TDC and did not realize it until after it was done so I got scared that I f**d it up the firing order.

 

Just finished putting it in and..................................FIXED IT!!!! Before I bolted the rest of the motor together I put the coil, and plug wires on and just attempted to start it within 1 little turn of the ignition she fired to life and idled perfectly at 1500 (since nothing else was hooked up) so I am pretty happy but broke at the same time. the new opti spun freely in my hand while the old one would not turn at all!! thanks for all the help guys and there is only one way it goes in and it slipped in perfect. Tomorrow i bolt the rest together water pump cooling fans and intake. I'm wondering if my performance should be better now hmmmm....

 

putting the water pump back on the GODDDDDAAAAAA***** water pump shaft cracks right off and I am not finding the freakin replacement anywhere!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I really am starting to hate this car considering every part you need is a special order