My 1997 Camaro SS will not start. I can turn the crank, but the engine doesn't kick over. This is the latest in a series of problems I have had. Last year I replaced the Opti-spark as well as the spark plugs and wires, so I'm pretty sure it is not that. Interestingly over the last couple of months I the car wouldn't start on the first try after sitting for a while, but usually the second or third try would get it running, and once the car has been running and warmed up, it started up like normal on the first try. Now it won't start at all.

Also about a month ago my car kind of stalled a bit and the check engine light came on. I hooked up a scanner, and it said something happened with the MAF. I had just washed the car, so I figured that water had gotten into the intake and caused the error. I cleared the code, and it never came up again.

I have run a scan on it again since this latest trouble started, but it shows no errors or trouble codes at all, I even cranked it a few times to see if any errors would show, but nothing showed up.

A while back I did have a similar symptom when I forgot to reconnect the MAF to the intake after doing some work on the radiator hoses, so I suspect the MAF may be bad, but again there are no codes being shown. And the last time I actually drove the car (last thursday) everything was running fine. When I tried to start the car monday morning it failed to start, and that's where its been since in my garage.

My next step will be to check for spark and fuel (I haven't had the chance to do that yet), but I was wondering if anyone else has run into this problem, an d maybe they could point me in the right direction. Is it possible for a faulty MAF to cause this problem with the symptoms described above?

 

If it dont turn over it could also be your starter as well. Make sure you dont have any blown fuses also. Hope this helps some.

 

Need to clarify... You can turn the crank??? Do you mean that the engine turns over, but doesn't start?

 

Just to clarify, the starter motor turns, but the engine does not start.

 

So the starter is working, the engine is turning over, but it just won't start, right?

I'd suggest checking that your fuel pump is working. When they start to die out, it can take time for fuel pressure to build up enough to get the motor running. Check your fuel rails for pressure with a fuel pressure guage.

If fuel pump checks out OK, your next step would be to check for spark.

 

OK, I tested the ICM and the Ignition coil, and they checked out OK, but after that I got a spark tester, and I get no spark at the spark plugs. I haven't yet checked for spark at the coil. I think I will do that next.

I just replaced the Opti about 9 months ago, and it has about 5000 miles on it. Could it go bad again so soon?

 

Have you tried scanning for codes yet? By all means it could be your opti, I've had aftermarket units last less than 60 miles.

 

it's your opti... don't feel so bad i put accell on mine and the timing was off, so i sent it back and went with oem and it lasted 3 months and then i went with another oem brand... 3 opties in a matter of 3 months... to say the least i was not happy... the oem one that i had go bad had the same symptoms as yours...

 

I scanned for codes, but the scanner doesn't find any trouble codes at all.

If it is the opti, then at least its still under warranty.

 

Well for a sanity check I did a spark check at the coil, and sure enough it is getting spark, so it is definitely the Opti that is failing.

Unfortunately I can't find the receipt from the last time I got it replaced, but I did find the number of the mechanic that did the repair. I'd going to give him a call and see what he will do for me. If he won't honor any warranty, then it will cost about $1300 to have him do the work (that's about what it cost last time).

I'm not a very experienced mechanic myself, but is this something I could tackle on my own? If so, can you give me some direction as to the parts I need? Do I have to get the whole distributor (which is about $500 GM part) or could I get away with say the MSD cap and rotor kit they have at NAPA for about $180?

 

Don't buy anything until you pull the cap and rotor. Remember you don't have to take the entire dampener hub off, you only need to unbolt the pulley from the hub. If you don't have access to the correct torx socket to get the cap off the opti, you can use one of the TB screws as a torx driver. Put 2 jam nuts on it to use it as a driver without screwing up the threads.

 

Well, it looks like I misdiagnosed the lack of spark at the plug. I must have not had the tester attached to a good ground point. At any rate, it turns out that my fuel pump went bad.

I wonder what else is going to break next on this thing?

 

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