Engine dies intermittently
I think this one may have gotten the better of me.
My problem started a few weeks ago when my motor cut out while driving to work but it caught again within a couple of seconds. It happened again a couple of times coming home from work except it required a restart. So far this problem has not left me stranded. With the car parked and the keyswitch to on (engine not running) I can get the car to cycle the Air Injection Pump, Fuel Pump and Ignition after the car has been sitting for up to 1/2 hour. This cycling sounds like the ECU initializing and it can occur once, 2-5 times and other times it has cycled repeatedly until I turn off the keyswitch. When the problem happens with the car running it sets a host of codes: 84 Downshift Fault 83 TCC Control Feedback 16 Low Res Failure 42 EST Grounded 36 Hi Res Failure I have replaced a few optis in my day and 2 bad coils so some of these codes are familiar but whenever my ignition had died in the past it never recovered, and it never caused my ECU to recycle my air pump and fuel pump repeatedly. I am thinking these codes may be getting set when the ECU cuts power to the ignition when it recycles. Kind of a chicken or the egg kind of thing. I have a suspicion that my ECU may be ill. Has anyone seen anything like this? |
I've had these same conditions twice before, and each time it was the optispark.
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Originally Posted by matLT1
(Post 6106318)
I've had these same conditions twice before, and each time it was the optispark.
Thanks for the response. |
you should check the opti harness and the mating contacts in the distributor, as well as the ones to the engine main harness.
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well I was going to start a new thread but it seems like im having the same problem as you. I'm getting the follow codes:
16 lo-res fail 36 hi-res fail 41 est open 48 MAF system fail 51 EPROM/Flash Checksum Fail 84 3-2 Downshift Feedback Fault |
Originally Posted by RKPsk8er
(Post 6108705)
well I was going to start a new thread but it seems like im having the same problem as you. I'm getting the follow codes:
16 lo-res fail 36 hi-res fail 41 est open 48 MAF system fail 51 EPROM/Flash Checksum Fail 84 3-2 Downshift Feedback Fault |
Originally Posted by speedygonzales
(Post 6108830)
Don't hijack others threads. See info on your own thread.
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I will ring through the harness proir to ordering a replacement opti, but this feels like something more than a continuity issue. I have learned from experience that when I change an Opti, I always change the harness between the Opti and the main harness to prevent any corrosion from the old harness from getting on new Opti contacts.
One thing I would like to know is what type of preservative GM used in their Production Opti Connections. My original Opti I had over 90,000 mile on it and when it failed. I disconnected the original Opti harness it was packed with some type of clear jelly, almost like a silicone grease. I would really like to use this corrosion preservative on any future Opti harness connections if I could figure out what they were using. |
Originally Posted by 94Sleeper
(Post 6109238)
I will ring through the harness proir to ordering a replacement opti, but this feels like something more than a continuity issue. I have learned from experience that when I change an Opti, I always change the harness between the Opti and the main harness to prevent any corrosion from the old harness from getting on new Opti contacts.
One thing I would like to know is what type of preservative GM used in their Production Opti Connections. My original Opti I had over 90,000 mile on it and when it failed. I disconnected the original Opti harness it was packed with some type of clear jelly, almost like a silicone grease. I would really like to use this corrosion preservative on any future Opti harness connections if I could figure out what they were using. |
wondering
wondering if u could send me a pic of the opti spark itself?? berakahs@hotmail.com... i have a similar problem.. frequent stalling
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Originally Posted by berakahs
(Post 6109689)
wondering if u could send me a pic of the opti spark itself?? berakahs@hotmail.com... i have a similar problem.. frequent stalling
I just found out the replacement Ignition harness price went from around $60 when I bought on a couple of years ago to about $180 today. Great. |
sweet
thx... id appreciate it.. just so i know wat i need...
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As far as what you will need:
2 Water Pump Gaskets (already have a few in my tool box from the last time) The Optispark itself The Ignition Harness is optional but in my opinion a good idea. |
Ok.
do have the part number and the round a bout price... and the brand of optispark? thx. just so that i know what it is i need...
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Originally Posted by berakahs
(Post 6111020)
do have the part number and the round a bout price... and the brand of optispark? thx. just so that i know what it is i need...
For my harness I went through Jason Cromer. |
Also check all wires around the coil to make sure they are not kinked. I've replaced a few coils and one time a few wires got kinked and I didn't even notice until a shop pointed it out and fixed it for me for a similar problem I had, only with less codes thrown.
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really? where would they be kinked?
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Originally Posted by 94Sleeper
(Post 6110441)
I can send you a picture of the failed unit when its out but if the replacement Opti fixes the problem I will not be opening it up, I will be throwing it out.
I just found out the replacement Ignition harness price went from around $60 when I bought on a couple of years ago to about $180 today. Great. The original problem sounds like it could be the ignition switch or connection down there. |
Originally Posted by shoebox
(Post 6112003)
The original problem sounds like it could be the ignition switch or connection down there.
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Originally Posted by 94Sleeper
(Post 6112513)
I thought about that and I tried moving my harnessing around under the dash and under the hood. I also tapped on the steering collumn and ignition switch with a screwdriver as well as the relay box and ECU without being able to get the described reset condition to reproduce. I thought if it was an intermittent connection I should have found it by now.
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Originally Posted by shoebox
(Post 6112530)
Do you know where the ignition switch is (on the column, under the dash)?
Thanks |
Originally Posted by 94Sleeper
(Post 6112649)
I don't think I tried that particular connector. I do have the Helms Manual so I will find the ignition switch and give a bit of a shake to see if that's where the problem is.
Thanks |
I dropped the lower dash panels this morning and found the Ignition Switch and was able to check it out. With the ignition on (engine not running) I was not able to reproduce the reset problem while wiggling the connector. I manipulated the connector for a few minutes with no luck.
Originally Posted by MarcR94v6
(Post 6111795)
Also check all wires around the coil to make sure they are not kinked. I've replaced a few coils and one time a few wires got kinked and I didn't even notice until a shop pointed it out and fixed it for me for a similar problem I had, only with less codes thrown.
Originally Posted by matLT1
(Post 6106318)
I've had these same conditions twice before, and each time it was the optispark.
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Thought I would update this thread and close the loop so it may be useful to someone in the future.
I replaced the Opti and the car runs great. I've out a few hundred miles on the new Opti without a problem. Took it to the track last Saturday and made 8 runs and won the club bracket with it. Thanks for all the input |
EFIConnection has a good price on an Opti harness.
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