BRW Will not RUN !!!!!! AHHHHHHHH

Ok, driving the car (1995 Buick Roadmaster Estate) last night and jumped on the highway. The car at higher RPM started backfiring and losing power. So babbied it down the highway and got off on the next exit, came to a stop and started of down the road and it completely died. Now it has a brand new fuel pump (pressure was tested on the side of the road), has a 5 month old Accel Optispark and Accel Coil. Had it towed home last night cause all it will do is crank and has no spark at the plugs and no spark at the coil. All fuses are good. Woke up this morning and it started right up, runing extremely rich but its running? H E L P !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

have the ICM checked

The running rich throws me off, but I would check the basics to rule them out.

-Any codes?
-The wires going into the coil and icm - check these for breakage inside the plastic, very common.

The part about running rich has got to be something to do with mass airflow sensor or something like that. The computer controls that and fuel should be based on amount of air coming in. I would check your mass air flow sensor, it's plugs, and wires.

That's all I have

Doug

^ what they both said ^

A bad coolant sensor or wiring (the one on the water pump) will cause the car to run rich and be very had to start. Wouldn't cause no spark though.

I cannot get the car to read on my scanner, the temp sensors where replaced when i did the opti, what does everyone think about the ignition module connected to the coil??? seems like when she cooled down she started ????

justinlamb82 wrote:

I cannot get the car to read on my scanner, the temp sensors where replaced when i did the opti, what does everyone think about the ignition module connected to the coil??? seems like when she cooled down she started ????

thats what the ICM is

hahaha, wow , had a moment there. i did pick up a new one and will be installing it today from auto zone, hope it works !!!!!

wires are fine and the new ICM was a waste of cash. under load (2500 RPM) the car starts to lose power and back fire both from exhaust and intake ?????

I would chech the twires going into the coil. Take a razor, and cut the insulation off the wires as they go into the connector on the coil, and pull it back. Look for a broken wire as the wire goes into the connector. I have had this happen a couple times.

Sounds like an opti that don't like to spin fast. Aren't accel/msd optis known for these types of issues?

bammax wrote:

Sounds like an opti that don't like to spin fast. Aren't accel/msd optis known for these types of issues?

I missed that part. Yes, the MSD/Accel optis are junk. Their cap and rotor kits are top notch, but they failed at building the opti itself.

bammax wrote:

Sounds like an opti that don't like to spin fast. Aren't accel/msd optis known for these types of issues?

I was thinking that at first, but didn't want to post it cause I was not sure if those where the ones.

justinlamb82 wrote:

wires are fine and the new ICM was a waste of cash. under load (2500 RPM) the car starts to lose power and back fire both from exhaust and intake ?????

PM me your address. I have a used GM opti that was working perfect when pulled. I will send you the opti out tomorrow by US postal, you should get it Saturday, and you can try it out. If it solves the problem shoot me $50, if not send it back. If it does not solve the issue your only out like $5.

Doug

When you install the new (used) opti, put a dab of dielectric grease on the wire boots and coil wire. Other than a POS Opti I bought on e-bay, I really haven't had any problems.

Well thank you everyone for your help, I am going to go home tonight and cut the insulation back on the wires near the connection for the coil and then prep the garage for an opti-swap, picked up sum aftermarket wires to put in also. I have a code for advanceautoparts.com if any one wants to use it, it "should" work for anyone, get $20 off of $50 or more using coupon code at checkout. DFM20 must be entered as shown in the promotion box during checkout ONLY GOOD UNTIL AUGUST 26, 2010 !!!!

Well just finished changing the Opti last night and nothing has changed, it seems that when it is warming up it starts to backfire through the intake and exhaust and as soon as the car is up to tempeture it dies and then will loose spark and not start until the car cools down, 6 days without a car and i have no idea what to do.

Check the three wires to the coil again, other than that I don't know.

Where did you get the opti?

Tomz9C1 wrote:

Check the three wires to the coil again, other than that I don't know.

Where did you get the opti?

I have checked the wires several time and do not have a break on them, I got the Opti from pooge which is used and from a running car, but i am going to remove that one again i have sent my old Accel Opti back to Summit Racing as it is still under warranty. I told them i do not want another Accel and they are putting the value of the Accel opti onto the balance for a AC Delco Optispark. I did new plugs and wires with this change over. I wonder if it is the coil heating up and failing, because even changing the Opti out with a different one the car is still doing backfiring and shutting down when it gets hot?

Did you replace the coolant sensor with an AutoZone / Dorman one?
I used one in my retired 95 & it solved the problem so I cant say theyre junk.
I've heard others say thay are.
If I was in your position I'd return it as defective & try again.
It's so easy to replace I'd try that before changing optis again.
As mentioned above, it shouldnt stop spark, but it WILL make it run (or not run) like dog poop when warm

Sorry that opti didn't work for you man, at least you have ruled it out though... Hit me with a pm when you take it back out so I can give you my address to ship it back.

Thanks,

Doug

Pooge wrote:

Sorry that opti didn't work for you man, at least you have ruled it out though... Hit me with a pm when you take it back out so I can give you my address to ship it back.

Thanks,

Doug

I will Pooge and I do appreciate your help with this.

Also have the opti swap down to 1 hour and 42 minutes, out and in !!!!!

justinlamb82 wrote:

Also have the opti swap down to 1 hour and 42 minutes, out and in !!!!!

That's not a bad time at all. You get it down to an hour and everyone will be visiting your place asking for help

If you suspect the coil you can always swap that out with an off the shelf duralast one and test the car again. If it's the same issue then throw the original back in a return the new one to the store and say it didn't fit right. At least that would rule out yet another component without any money outta pocket.

Changed the opti out with a new AC Delco, new pigtails soldered in for the coil and ICM, and a new Opti harness along with plugs and wires and the wagon is back running like a top, thank you everyone for your help with this.

Good to hear, Justin!

You ever get that bird??

justinlamb82 wrote:

Changed the opti out with a new AC Delco, new pigtails soldered in for the coil and ICM, and a new Opti harness along with plugs and wires and the wagon is back running like a top, thank you everyone for your help with this.

Wish we knew which of those things was the culprit.
Thanks for posting the fix anyway...nothing worse than never hearing what fixt it

I'm guessing the opti or the wiring. It's like trying to figure out if the burnt wiring caused the fuel pump to fail or if the failing fuel pump burnt the wiring. It's easier to just fix it all and move on.

bammax wrote:

I'm guessing the opti or the wiring. It's like trying to figure out if the burnt wiring caused the fuel pump to fail or if the failing fuel pump burnt the wiring. It's easier to just fix it all and move on.

Thats what I figured, i was tired of playing games and figured i will replace everything andhope for the best, know i just hop it lasts me 50k miles or more