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

please help, car wont start :(

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Old Sep 7, 2004 | 02:15 PM
  #1  
9T4Z28's Avatar
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please help, car wont start :(

I was on the highway cruising at 65-70 at 3k rpms (because of the 4.11's) and my tach went from 3k to 0, back up and then was fine for about a half mile. Then It did it again but this time it died out and i had to get it towed home. The service engine soon light was on and it would make the noise while holding the key to start it but it would not turn over. When the Rpm's fell my interior lights dimmed. Im not sure of the problem, my uncle said it wasnt getting spark, and he also changed ?"ignition module"? and he said it still wasnt getting spark. Could it be the opti spark or something stupid? Im so totally confused and being 18 with a mediocre job dosent help
I appreciate any input the car has around 103k miles on it and im not sure if the opti was ever changed. thanks guys. This means the bus for me ... ouch(dont want to think about it)
Old Sep 7, 2004 | 02:56 PM
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Re: please help, car wont start :(

Alternator?

Might as well go with 3.73s if your going to change them. JMHO
Old Sep 7, 2004 | 03:03 PM
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Re: please help, car wont start :(

before i had my z i had a v6 and my v6 did the exact same thing u are describing and turned out it was my altinator
Old Sep 7, 2004 | 04:05 PM
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Re: please help, car wont start :(

if it was my altinator, wouldnt the battery not work because it wouldnt be recharging? my lights work . i really dont know i hope its something like that and dont the optispark..
Old Sep 7, 2004 | 04:32 PM
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Re: please help, car wont start :(

i think my situation is a bit more technical , there is no spark coming out of the coil pack , no spark at all...
Old Sep 7, 2004 | 05:17 PM
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Re: please help, car wont start :(

Its the optispark, same thing happend to me when I was driving on the freeway, the car sputtered, then just died. Call Jason Cromer, he can get you an opti for around $230 I think, and its really not all that hard to change out.
Old Sep 7, 2004 | 07:12 PM
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Re: please help, car wont start :(

Does it crank over? Check the condition of your ignition coil with a voltmeter. They're only about $15-$20/each, so hit that before you put on a $200 opti. Opti usually won't cause a no start. Before that, check the battery volt, cranking voltage, and clean the connections.

You didn't happen to drive in water, or wash the engine bay, did you?
Old Sep 7, 2004 | 07:16 PM
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Re: please help, car wont start :(

I really appreciate all the info guys, if theres more keep it coming, because im really not liking the idea of changing the opti. I havent hit water or washed the engine bay(never washed the engine). With my cash flow i hope its sumthing minor.

Last edited by 9T4Z28; Sep 7, 2004 at 07:26 PM.
Old Sep 7, 2004 | 07:25 PM
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Re: please help, car wont start :(

And if it is the opti how hard is it to replace, do u have to pull the engine out or can u somehow do something else, im a newbie when it comes to the differently designed LT1. Thanks guys
Old Sep 7, 2004 | 07:52 PM
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Re: please help, car wont start :(

And also if this helps, i dont understand how to read this error code, but The car sent Code 83- Torque convertor quad drive module (not exactly sure if that is the correct wording) does this mean anything to anyone?
Old Sep 7, 2004 | 09:51 PM
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Re: please help, car wont start :(

Sounds like an opti mine did the same thing about a mile from home. Tach went nuts then the car died. As for changing the opti. I was a little worried about doing my own as well but it was a breeze. Honestly a set of car ramps and tools are pretty much all you need. The first opti I did took me about 6 hrs (ALOT of runnin to the parts store found the water pump had gone out as well). The 2nd opti took me roughly 2-3 hrs. It is rather easy and its a good feeling not paying an arm and a leg for someone else to do it.
Old Sep 8, 2004 | 11:34 AM
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Re: please help, car wont start :(

Bad bird: Your water pump was probably what killed your opti.
Old Sep 8, 2004 | 08:09 PM
  #13  
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Re: please help, car wont start :(

Yea my coils are getting power but no spark, i should find out the problem tomorow

Last edited by 9T4Z28; Sep 8, 2004 at 10:24 PM.
Old Sep 8, 2004 | 10:11 PM
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Re: please help, car wont start :(

Did you actually check with a meter or test light and not just look at the fuse? If you can manage, you might want to try this test.
Old Sep 8, 2004 | 10:24 PM
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Re: please help, car wont start :(

lol i just printed that thing out about an hour ago, and hope to get a ride to my uncles shop tomorow and try it out, thanks!



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