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

Replacing Optispark ..... Again!

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Old 08-13-2009, 08:55 AM
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Unhappy Replacing Optispark ..... Again!

Okay, I have the dreaded Code 16 "No Low Resolution Pulse" and the car, of course, will crank but NOT start. Looks like I'll be replacing the Opti again, (this will be the fourth one in just over 85,000 miles) and I'm just wondering where the best Opti's are being bought from these days.

I'm looking for a quality Opti here, hopefully something that will last me more than 21,000 miles on average. Who's got a lead on where to buy a good Opti from?
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Old 08-13-2009, 10:01 AM
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Even though this question is asked about twice a week, the answer is still "thepartsladi" on ebay. They sell GM DELCO optis at the cheapest you will find
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Old 08-13-2009, 11:13 AM
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If you've got the bucks, you might look at Dynaspark.
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Old 08-13-2009, 12:51 PM
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Even with a brand new OEM opti, I would recommend taking it apart and loctiting the 2 screws that hold the rotor on and drilling out the plastic rivits and replacing them with aluminium rivits. I had a new opti on my car and after no more than 5000 miles, I took it apart and one of the screws had completely backed out. While everyone has their opinion, from what I read on this board, the general consensus is that the GM OEM opti is the best value. I just think they need the above mentioned "doctoring".

Last edited by David94TA; 08-13-2009 at 12:55 PM.
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Old 08-13-2009, 08:59 PM
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I bought an autozone reman and used my optical sensor and segment wheel from my original opti along with $29 cap and rotor from ebay. It is working fine. Hope this helps.
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Old 08-13-2009, 09:21 PM
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If that mild setup is killing that many optis you have to diagnose the problem. The opti is a symptom.

Have you ever replaced the vent harness?

Something is killing those optis, you wasted a lot of money already treating symptoms now find the cause.
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Old 08-19-2009, 08:26 AM
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Originally Posted by 96capricemgr
If that mild setup is killing that many optis you have to diagnose the problem. The opti is a symptom.

Have you ever replaced the vent harness?

Something is killing those optis, you wasted a lot of money already treating symptoms now find the cause.
96capricemgr, you just might be on to something here. Let me ask you this .... in a properly installed vented Optispark application, is the vacuum line from the intake manifold attached to the Opti base or the Opti cap? That is ..... is "fresh" air supposed to circulate into the distributor cap and then out the base ..... or is it the other way around, (i.e. into the base and out the cap)?
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Old 08-19-2009, 09:09 AM
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have you checked the opti wiring harness that runs from the passenger side of the intake manifold down to the opti.
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Old 08-19-2009, 09:36 AM
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Originally Posted by 97 6SPEED Z
96capricemgr, you just might be on to something here. Let me ask you this .... in a properly installed vented Optispark application, is the vacuum line from the intake manifold attached to the Opti base or the Opti cap? That is ..... is "fresh" air supposed to circulate into the distributor cap and then out the base ..... or is it the other way around, (i.e. into the base and out the cap)?

http://shbox.com/ci/opti_vent.jpg
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Old 08-21-2009, 08:43 AM
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Question

Originally Posted by dangalla
have you checked the opti wiring harness that runs from the passenger side of the intake manifold down to the opti.
Dangalla, yes I have and all appeared to be in order with the wiring harness. It totally checked out okay with the DVOM and "wiggle" test. When disconnecting it from the "bad" Opti during the replacement process, however, I did break off the retaining clip from the Opti end of the wiring harness, and ..... wound up replacing it with a brand new one from EFI Connection anyway.

Originally Posted by caldercay
Caldercay, (and Shoebox!) thanks also for the Opti vacuum harness illustration. The only thing I found possibly "amiss" here was that the "filter" in the vacuum line, seemed to be maybe partially(???) pluged? It certainly did not pass much air when tested. When I replaced the "bad" Opti, I also bought all new vacuum lines, and, although I kept the check valve in the line ..... I did "toss" the filter.

Anyone here see any real problem with eliminating the filter in the Opti vacuum harness???

If you guys haven't already guessed ..... a brand new parts ladi optispark is now on the car, and ...... it's running GREAT (again).

Last edited by 97 6SPEED Z; 08-21-2009 at 08:46 AM.
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