Thanks for taking the time to document this. I had the same problem. I replaced my plugs first. Still had backfiring at the intake and rough idle. Then I replaced my wires. I found that the #2 wire was damaged. So, a wire was the cause of my problems as well. I also cleaned my throttle body and MAF sensor because I haven’t cleaned them in a while. 1995 Z28 with 188K miles is running like a champ again!
That’s awesome! I’m glad you figured it out. I actually had the exact same issue. A spark plug wire failed: th-cam.com/video/rNYMPEZbV20/w-d-xo.htmlsi=-Te4QdpDTxcXjF_4
Hi Steven.........followed and enjoyed your site for quite a few years. I have had LT1 cars (94 to 96) for 28 years, 3 wagons, 2 FW's and a Caprice, probably at least a couple 100 thousand miles. Gotta agree with you about the OPTI's. They are the first thing blamed, but seldom the cause. I've never had to replace one. I've had my share of problems with fuel pumps. Without out a doubt, the worst problem I've had is when the IAC control failed. We were driving the Caprice Wagon, on a secondary highway when all of a sudden the car sped up. Between riding the brake, down shifting and putting it in neutral, I was able to get her on the side of the rode. The brakes were very hot as was the engine. Luckily I had some WD40 with me and soaked all the linkages etc etc. I made it to the next exit to an O'Reilly's, got some more WD40 and a few other supplies. I made it the 100 miles home, but I was one edge the whole way. I had the check engine light read, it was the IAC. I replaced it, and have never had the issue again. I've had that wagon for 14 years. It's my daily driver, but I can't trust it. I have 2 FW's now, I was getting a little bucking between 70 and 75 always the same speed, from my 94. No check engine lights. Ninety four thousand, probably never been tuned up. I tuned it up, somewhat better but still had a little rumble. No check engine lights either. BUT, I happened to notice there was black soot on the ground by the right tail pipe. I knew it was the O2 sensor. Coincidentally the check engine light went on. I read it and replaced the sensor and all is well. That is until last week when the 96 FW started bucking, engine check engine light came on PC 400 (I think) random misfire. Twenty eight years old, I believe the original plugs and wires. Mileage is 72K. I'm going to give it a good looking over. Then I'll probably start with the wires and plugs while I'm at it. Tom
Thanks for following along with the channel! My first misfire was a hole in one of the vacuum lines. My second misfire was a failed spark plug wire that was arcing off the exhaust manifold. I haven’t had any issues since. The car has been really solid since I’ve owned it. The Fleetwood is one of my favorite cars of all time. And you have two?
My 1997 Firebird Formula LT1 was misfiring (no SES light). After checking all sensors and wiring I finally found #7 arching by looking at night with engine running. I removed the aluminum heat deflector from the plug wire and my misfire stopped. Will replace that wire (#7 suffers heat stress due to being above one of the catalytic converters) Bought a set of those woven heat protection sleeves to put over them. I'm not putting the factory aluminum shields back on. Misfire solved.
Ok great! I’m glad you found it. It was a bad plug for me the second time. The first time, it was a bad vacuum line. th-cam.com/video/ejJXkSlosh4/w-d-xo.html
What tool do you use to tighten the spark plugs, because my car wasn’t starting I got a new starter and it still didn’t start until I noticed one of the spark plugs on the right hand side was loose and it needs to be tightened
OK cool I noticed a couple were loose. I didn’t have a torque wrench so I just tighten them a little bit but it won’t start. I had to spark plugs and spark plug wires replaced last year. They’re still pretty much knew because they hardly drive it, but I noticed the mechanic did leave a couple of those spark plugs, loose, I sprayed starting fuel and almost started for like a couple seconds but didn’t I had the fuel filter fuel and pump replaced earlier in the year. I just installed the new starter and it’s still not starting but it feels like it’s almost going to start. What do you think the problem is? Sorry to bug and for all the questions
@@armandopatino8918 No problem. I did a different video where I talk about some possible issues. My first issue was bad vacuum lines. The second issue was the spark plug wire. Check all the things I list in this video: th-cam.com/video/ejJXkSlosh4/w-d-xo.html
Lol this drove me crazy trying to figure out this problem. Had the leaks optispark never figured it had gd days driving other not. Random dying stalling rough idle. I’ma check mine change optispark . Did u have a leak or problems with the elbow coming off the throttle. Or throttle tripping. But when it runs it runs gd. Takes flight ✈️ with ease doesn’t drive how everyone thinks it does because of its size. No hesitation. Get up and go.
I had two issues. One was a bad plug wire which this video is about. And the other issue was a bad vacuum line which you can see in this video: th-cam.com/video/ejJXkSlosh4/w-d-xo.html
Thanks for taking the time to document this. I had the same problem. I replaced my plugs first. Still had backfiring at the intake and rough idle. Then I replaced my wires. I found that the #2 wire was damaged. So, a wire was the cause of my problems as well. I also cleaned my throttle body and MAF sensor because I haven’t cleaned them in a while. 1995 Z28 with 188K miles is running like a champ again!
That’s awesome! I’m glad you figured it out. I actually had the exact same issue. A spark plug wire failed: th-cam.com/video/rNYMPEZbV20/w-d-xo.htmlsi=-Te4QdpDTxcXjF_4
Hi Steven.........followed and enjoyed your site for quite a few years. I have had LT1 cars (94 to 96) for 28 years, 3 wagons, 2 FW's and a Caprice, probably at least a couple 100 thousand miles. Gotta agree with you about the OPTI's. They are the first thing blamed, but seldom the cause. I've never had to replace one. I've had my share of problems with fuel pumps. Without out a doubt, the worst problem I've had is when the IAC control failed. We were driving the Caprice Wagon, on a secondary highway when all of a sudden the car sped up. Between riding the brake, down shifting and putting it in neutral, I was able to get her on the side of the rode. The brakes were very hot as was the engine. Luckily I had some WD40 with me and soaked all the linkages etc etc.
I made it to the next exit to an O'Reilly's, got some more WD40 and a few other supplies. I made it the 100 miles home, but I was one edge the whole way. I had the check engine light read, it was the IAC. I replaced it, and have never had the issue again. I've had that wagon for 14 years. It's my daily driver, but I can't trust it.
I have 2 FW's now, I was getting a little bucking between 70 and 75 always the same speed, from my 94. No check engine lights. Ninety four thousand, probably never been tuned up. I tuned it up, somewhat better but still had a little rumble. No check engine lights either. BUT, I happened to notice there was black soot on the ground by the right tail pipe. I knew it was the O2 sensor. Coincidentally the check engine light went on. I read it and replaced the sensor and all is well.
That is until last week when the 96 FW started bucking, engine check engine light came on PC 400 (I think) random misfire. Twenty eight years old, I believe the original plugs and wires. Mileage is 72K. I'm going to give it a good looking over. Then I'll probably start with the wires and plugs while I'm at it.
Tom
Thanks for following along with the channel! My first misfire was a hole in one of the vacuum lines. My second misfire was a failed spark plug wire that was arcing off the exhaust manifold. I haven’t had any issues since. The car has been really solid since I’ve owned it. The Fleetwood is one of my favorite cars of all time. And you have two?
As a person who daily drives a 95 I enjoy the content as there is not a lot of info on these considering the short production run of the Lt1.
That’s awesome! I’m glad you find these videos helpful.
Yup I daily my 94 Roadmaster and it’s nice to have someone on here who has info on these engines and cars
Great video! Good tips on how to deal with difficult wire placement
Thanks bro!
My 1997 Firebird Formula LT1 was misfiring (no SES light). After checking all sensors and wiring I finally found #7 arching by looking at night with engine running. I removed the aluminum heat deflector from the plug wire and my misfire stopped. Will replace that wire (#7 suffers heat stress due to being above one of the catalytic converters) Bought a set of those woven heat protection sleeves to put over them. I'm not putting the factory aluminum shields back on. Misfire solved.
Ok great! I’m glad you found it. It was a bad plug for me the second time. The first time, it was a bad vacuum line. th-cam.com/video/ejJXkSlosh4/w-d-xo.html
What tool do you use to tighten the spark plugs, because my car wasn’t starting I got a new starter and it still didn’t start until I noticed one of the spark plugs on the right hand side was loose and it needs to be tightened
I just use a regular spark plug socket with a ratchet. amzn.to/46zkJkF
OK cool I noticed a couple were loose. I didn’t have a torque wrench so I just tighten them a little bit but it won’t start. I had to spark plugs and spark plug wires replaced last year. They’re still pretty much knew because they hardly drive it, but I noticed the mechanic did leave a couple of those spark plugs, loose, I sprayed starting fuel and almost started for like a couple seconds but didn’t I had the fuel filter fuel and pump replaced earlier in the year. I just installed the new starter and it’s still not starting but it feels like it’s almost going to start. What do you think the problem is? Sorry to bug and for all the questions
@@armandopatino8918 No problem. I did a different video where I talk about some possible issues. My first issue was bad vacuum lines. The second issue was the spark plug wire. Check all the things I list in this video: th-cam.com/video/ejJXkSlosh4/w-d-xo.html
Theme of the video: Not The Optispark!!!
That’s right! And I put it in the video title.
Great, plugs and wires are on my to do list.
They are kinda tricky on the LT1, but definitely doable!
Got a 95 Roadmaster gets stuck in 2 n 3rd gear do you know what I need
@@jimmyveal3766 Unfortunately I don’t. That sounds like an internal transmission problem.
Thank you very much man very good information including the vacuum line video very detailed thank you very much bro. God bless! 💯🙏🏻
You’re welcome! I’m glad the video helped! God Bless you too.
Great find can’t wait to drive her💙💙
It’ll be ready as soon as the weather breaks!
Lol this drove me crazy trying to figure out this problem. Had the leaks optispark never figured it had gd days driving other not. Random dying stalling rough idle. I’ma check mine change optispark . Did u have a leak or problems with the elbow coming off the throttle. Or throttle tripping. But when it runs it runs gd. Takes flight ✈️ with ease doesn’t drive how everyone thinks it does because of its size. No hesitation. Get up and go.
I had two issues. One was a bad plug wire which this video is about. And the other issue was a bad vacuum line which you can see in this video: th-cam.com/video/ejJXkSlosh4/w-d-xo.html
good video appreciate the honesty
@@dbasix-ocho-zero-cinco Thanks. I’m glad the video helped!