I just took my car out for the first time since the cam swap and threw a check engine light the first time i got on it. Now it's hard to start and runs pretty weak. Does anyone know what to check to fix this code 36?

 

DTC Code 36 = Ignition Faulty High Resolution Signal

From my personal experience, this has meant that the opti is on it's way out. The car should still run, but not well. It will eventually die right out on you.

 

The opti is only a year or so old. Can it be dirty or something? I know there are a ton of things that can cause this so I don't want to just throw money at it without knowing what to look for.

 

I hear ya man, these things aren't cheap to replace. I'm not a pro when it comes to this DTC code, so I'd suggest waiting until someone else steps in here, and gives you some more advice. Just in my personal experience, I've had an opti last 40 miles, one last me 200 miles, and one last me 110,000 miles... So, newer doesn't always mean better...

 

Wow. That's some bad luck you have with the optis. Is there any chance this code can be set off from a bad ignition module?

 

I have a feeling it's to do with the optical sensor in the opti... Which is why it's a progressive failure, as opposed to a sudden, immediate failure.

What kind of opti did you put in? My MSD's were crap, and I've heard bad things about various other opti's... My AC DELCO stocker lasted 10 years, so I figured I'd replace with another one, and I've had no issues since... (knock on wood)

 

I have the Accel opti. I think it might have got some moisture in it when I had it off my car during the cam swap. It was fine until this so hopefully that's all it is. It's still under warranty so I'm ok there.

 

Do some more research on the DTC code. I have a feeling there are ways to test if it's the opti or not. You'll need a voltemeter to run the tests. Checking for voltage from the opti, etc... Again, I'm no pro here, so anyone else feel free to step in.

 

Its definitely a problem with the high resolution pulse signal generated by the Opti optical sensor. It can also set if there is corrosion or a damaged pin on the Opti harness connectors (the one at the Opti, or the one on the bracket on the passenger side of the intake manifold). Check the connectors first.

Its possible you might not even notice anything at all from that code. When the high res pulse is missing, the PCM runs completely off the low resolution pulse. It loses a bit of timing accuracy and spark scatter increases, but often its not even noticeable.

 

I notice it a lot. My car seems slower than when it was just bolt ons. I checked the connections and everything is fine. Lucky for me my opti is under warranty and a new one should be here tomorrow morning.

 

Just go get a new AC Delco. Last time I did the swap, I put a new Delco on, it lasted ~4 months before getting the DTC 36 code, called Jason Cromer up (where I bought it from) and he said mail it back and you'll get a new one. I did, been running that one for 2 years and the ol' mule screams.