Optispark Low/High res signal analysis

[FTA1995]

Does anyone have or has used a protocol or 'monitoring address' to use PC based software to monitor the low/high resolution opti signals?
I blew mine today (99% sure) and I would like to be 100% sure.
I know the tech 1 tools can do it, but I'm not in a position or location to access one. I do not have an oscilloscope to use either, I know that would simplify the process.

Any help = appreciated very much

[Injuneer]

You can simply hook up a volt meter to the wire for the signal (low res or high res), other side to reference wire, and look for a 5V square wave as you slowly rotate the the Opti. The high res should produce 720 switches (360 1/2-degree spikes) as it makes one full rotation. The low res should produce (8) 5V spikes, with the pattern in degrees 2 - 7 - 2 - 12 - 2 - 17 - 2 - 22.

If you want to see what it looks like on a scope, there was a recent post (within last 2 weeks) on the LT1 Based Engine Tech forum at CamaroZ28.com.

[FTA1995]

Ahh makes sense now!
I did find something in the z28 forum but it would not load.

[FTA1995]

did a little test with a dvm,
checked low res signal by hooking into the low res wire and the dist ref low wire.
got a flat .02 volts throughout the entire 360 duration for the low res signal.
when the person who was assisting me turned the ignition off, I got a 5 volt spike for about 1 second... don't really understand this one unless it has to do with the optical sensor just being plain fried.

[Injuneer]

http://www.camaroz28.com/forums/showthread.php?t=718092

This one appears to have a missing pulse (blocked opening?)



This one just looks ragged:

http://s819.photobucket.com/albums/zz117/wilsoncd2/

[FTA1995]

right, i see where that extra square wave should be in the first one,
anyways, i did get the opti out today, personal record for time
ends up one of the rotor hold down screws that screw into the main rotating assembly came out at some point, got wedged at the leading edge of the rotor and cut a very deep concentric circle about 2 1/2 inches across. this caused a very large amount of plastic shavings to accumulate in the entire body of the opti and high voltage area. The optical sensor failed from a bent disk (?) and a bunch of plastic pieces in the sensor paths.
Honestly, I won't even be mad if the thing still doesn't turn over after this, just because this distributor and opti were shot to hell and back anyways.
In the pic, rotor arm with screw melted in place, along with cap in background.
There was also some carbon tracing going on along that cut as well, its about 3 mmm deep.