It all started about 3 days ago. My car was taking longer than usual to settle down into its usual idle. At the time, thought maybe I just had a bad batch of gas or something. Then, yesterday, the starter had to make a few more cranks than normal to get the engine to fire off. At this point, now I'm getting a little worried, but figure if it's anything, it's the battery. Now today, it won't start. The starter cranks just as fast and strong as it usually does, but it just won't fire up. When I let go of the key and back off the starter, the engine sputters and fires a few times, but doesn't really come close to starting. I'm not too knowledgeable about ignition systems yet, but the first thing that came to mind was Opti, becuase I read about it so much. Is this my problem? Why am I getting no firing when I turn the key, but it sputters right after I let go of the key? Please help.

 

I would first start by checking fuel pressure and your injectors to make sure the engine is getting sufficient fuel. IMO it's easier to test the fuel system than the ignition system.

If the fuel system checks out OK, then move on to ignition....start simple - plugs, wires, coil wire, coil, ICM, then opti.

Good luck

 

Thanks for the input, now I just gotta figure out how to get the car to a shop that can test it...

 

Update: Went back out a couple hours later. First try, it acted exactly the same, no firing until I turned the key back off, when it sputtered and coughed a few times but never started. Waited about a minute, tried again, and it fired right up, just like normal. Let it run for a few minutes to get warmed up, then shut it off and tried it again. Fired right off again. The car ran fine, nice smooth idle, no sputtering, no missing, nothing. So this makes me think its not fuel related. But at the same time, if it was Opti, spark plugs, etc., I would expect some rough idle or misfiring. And the starter was cranking just fine, so I don't think it was that. I'm at a loss. I know there are a lot of people on this board with a lot more technical knowledge than me. Any ideas?

 

Sounds like the fuel pressure regulator. I have two '94's and have replaced the regulators in both cars @ less than 30K miles. They both acted like that. The regulator leaked fuel into the engine after the engine was shut off resulting in slow unpredictable restarts. I also had the same problem with a '94 Cadillac. GM fuel pressure regulators are known for their unreliability, hope this information helps you find your problem.

 

your iac may have been out of senquence. can't remember the procedure for resetting it, but you may have done it inadvertently.

just a guess

 

Opti's don't fail out nearly as much as you think. It's just that most people on this board do what you did, and that is blame the most import/expensive part of the ignition system first, without checking minor things before hand.


If your car is turning off while it's on than something is shutting it off.

Which seems like it would be ignition or fuel related.

1. Check for Security light
2. Check battery Voltage
3. Check Coil
4. Check fuel pressure

 

I agree, blaming the opti distributer could be a mistake. -Many good suggestions so far. Spark and fuel pressure to start with. also check vacuum ,with a gauge, re-check torque of intake manifold bolts, being a new engine and heated up and cooled- might be time to re-tighten these.Good luck!