I have a 1996 Z28, 6 speed, 73k. About 2 weeks after I bought it, I went out to start it, it was driven about 2 hours before. I went to start it and it just cranked but did not fire. Eventually I did get it to start and had SES light. I went to AZ and the code was a P1371. The guy told me it was a misfire code and time for an Ignition control module. Which was 80 bucks. I said well, I felt no misfires, and the car ran fine. I looked up a P1371 on here, and from the few posts a search turned up, its looking like my opti. In one post the guy said it was the ICM but everyone else says opti. Anyways He cleared it for me, and didn't come back for awhile, but now a month afterwards, I had let it sit for like 3 hours at a friends house and the same thing happened. But this time it didn't start. I pulled the PCM fuse and plugged it back in, and then it started and died, then it started again and I revved it up and ran fine. I also have a SES light.

The car has a new water pump, and when that went out, it took the opti with it. The previous owner, said he replaced both the WP and Opti. I dunno if he used a POS autozone opti or a genuine GM one.

But anyways, I am going to replace the plugs and wires tommorow(are there any good plugs/wires I should get that the LT1 likes, or just a generic brand?) Has anyone had a similar problem like this? Its happened 2x in less then a 1000 miles. I am going to get the code thats stored right now scanned tommorow.

Should I start saving up for a new opti? Is there anything else, like possibly the ICM(like the guy said) or the coil?, that could cause a P1371? Anyone have any good writeups/walkthroughs on opti installs? I think pretty much, rad fans, AIR pump, power steering pump, water pump and crank pulley is what has to come off right?

How many componets are there to the LT1 ignition(opti, coil, plugs, wires, pcm, and what else)?

Sorry for the long post, but I kinda wanted to get all my questions out in one post.

EDIT: Also, could this possibly be a loose connection somewhere? I am going to make sure all the connections going to and from the opti are secure. When I do the plugs/wires. Its gonna be my first time on a 4th gen, Wish me luck. I've set the whole day aside for it.

 

P1371 = loss of low resolution pulse from the Optispark.

Its not for misfire. Its for loss of signal from the Opti electronics. When the PCM can't find the low res pulse, it shuts down the fuel system - pump and injectors - equals no start. If you have the code and the engine won't start, its an active code. If you have the code and the engine is still running, its a "stored" code from a previous problem.

If the engine is running and you have the SES light, there is something else setting another code. You need to make sure you have a good scan.

Check the wiring harness connector on the Opti for corrosion. Also check the gray Opti harness connector on the bracket on the passenger side of the intake manifold.

If the connectors are not corroded or damaged, there's a good chance the Opti optical sensor is dieing.