LT1 Based Engine Tech 1993-1997 LT1/LT4 Engine Related

car wont start(think its optispark)

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Old 04-24-2004, 08:56 PM
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Question car wont start(help fast please)

ok the other day i bought a 93 trans am with an lt4, with (436 hp i am so happy ) the car has 96k miles and the engine/tranny have around 10k

but the other day i had my first problem, when my car had troubles starting it was turning, but not firing up. then the next couple days it seems as if i had to turn it and turn it longer before it would finally start, one time i was driving and i rpms dropped and i couldnt get accelerate... today i couldnt start it at all, it turns good, and their is fuel getting to the engine the engine just wont fire up...ive heard of the optispark but am not to smart about lt1/4s*seeing as this is my first* so please give me info on what exactly this optispark is/does, where it's at, and how much it costs from various manufactures...

my dad seems to think its the coil is this a possiblity

if you can think of anything else it could be please tell me

any help is greatly appreciated
thanks
jp

Last edited by JP2005; 04-24-2004 at 09:28 PM.
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Old 04-24-2004, 09:09 PM
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The optispark is the distributor for the LTx engines and it is located behind the water pump. And yes, from the symptoms, it sounds like your opti is gone bad.
The best person to get one from is Jason Cromer, do a search under his name and you will find his contact information. I think it is about $230 for a new one. Good luck.
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Old 04-24-2004, 10:06 PM
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guys please help i need ideas please please please

thanks
jp
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Old 04-25-2004, 11:46 AM
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not a whole lot more ppl can tell u, it sounds ignition related and thus more than likely the opti
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Old 04-25-2004, 04:51 PM
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That is the exact same thing that happened to my 94 T/A. It was the opti. I replaced the waterpump a few months before, cause it was leaking out of the weephole. I am guessing the coolant killed te opti also.

Mike
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Old 04-25-2004, 08:17 PM
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this should help you diagnose the problem as well as get you familiar with teh LT1 ignition and fuel system

http://mainstreamtopics.com/forum/in...p?showtopic=78
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Old 04-26-2004, 08:37 AM
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When you turn it over does it want to start but only diesels or sounds like it is popping or running at 150 rpms? it is the opti and it needs replacing, unplug the coil wire to the opti and turn it over, do you see spark?? Unplug the number one plug wire from the spark plug and turn it over. Do you see spark?? otherwise opti time
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Old 04-26-2004, 02:40 PM
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A couple of weeks ago I thought for sure my opti was toast. It took me at least 30 tries to get the car started, then a few days later it would just not rev beyond 5000 without major misfiring. It was idling like crap too.

Turns out my coil wire was burnt. Got it replaced, along with a fresh coil for good measure, and she's good as new now. So don't always assume the worst.
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Old 04-26-2004, 04:17 PM
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Originally posted by grygst76
When you turn it over does it want to start but only diesels or sounds like it is popping or running at 150 rpms? it is the opti and it needs replacing, unplug the coil wire to the opti and turn it over, do you see spark?? Unplug the number one plug wire from the spark plug and turn it over. Do you see spark?? otherwise opti time
That sounds like what is happening on my car.....

But I have a brand new opti, wires, coil, ICM, starter, battery, alternator, plugs, and PCM...... Hmmmmmm.
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Old 04-26-2004, 10:03 PM
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Originally posted by tnthub
That sounds like what is happening on my car.....

But I have a brand new opti, wires, coil, ICM, starter, battery, alternator, plugs, and PCM...... Hmmmmmm.
Interesting...That's what mine did when the opti left me stranded 300 miles from home and cost me close to 1,000.00
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