I suspect the optispark has gone bad on me, but would like to check for spark first. For the spark plugs can I just pull a plug, attach it to the wire, turn the motor and watch for spark or do I really need to go buy a spark tester? What about from the ignition coil to the opti? Would I disconnect the boot on the Ignition coil and attach some kind of testor to the wire and watch for spark the same way? If it is the opti, I will see spark at the Ignition coil but not at the spark plug wires right?

 

Exactly right. Pull the coil to opti wire. If you have someone else who can help you, have them crank the engine while you hold the opti end of the coil wire close to a ground source. You should see a good spark jump to the ground. If that's all good. Put the coil wire back on at the opti and do the same thing with a plug wire. If the opti has a major internal problem like rotor falling off (go ahead, ask me why I know this ) If the high voltage side of the opti is good you should see a spark jump to ground every time the rotor comes around to this terminal. If you don't get that you for sure have a cap/rotor problem. If spark is good there probably isn't anything wrong with the opti. You could check all 8 wires just to be sure but if the first one checks good odds are all are ok.

 

thanks, i did get spark from 2 of my spark plug wires so I didn't even check the ignition module wire. I'm wondering if a faulty MAF sensor could cause these kind of signs and symptoms? See my other thread for more details, thanks for the info...