ajStyles2015

I wasn’t sure where I should post this so I am posting it ina couple different topics….. I have been having trouble with my ignitioncontrol module. I am aware that they are know to go out in our Third Gen’s butits getting a bit ridiculous. I have had to replace my ICM three times in thelast 5 month. They aren’t hard to replace and I keep an extra one in the car atall times, just a few screws I’ve had to replace it on the side of the road soits not a big deal just annoying.

So here is my question… is there something else that couldbe causing my ICM to go bad so often?? Any help would be appreciated.

RedLeader289

iTrader: (2)

Excessive heat can cause them to fail, have you overheated recently or have been running hot? You also want to make sure you're putting that grease on the new one when installing it.

ajStyles2015

yes I always put grease on the new once usually the grease that comes with it in the box. As far as my engine getting over heated I doo not know about that, when I'm driving at highway speeds my gauge reads just under half was and when idling at a traffic light or in traffic the gauge goes slightly above half way, but nothing alarming....

Bob88GTA

iTrader: (2)

"You also want to make sure you're putting that grease on the new one when installing it."

^^^^^ What he said.

Go to Electronics parts store and get some good silicon heat sink compound for $5.99.

Bob88GTA

iTrader: (2)

three times in the last 5 months!
That's excessive. I changed mine once in 27 years...and that was a "just because."

Check your grounds for one

88ragtop

what is the symptom when this module goes out? I was driving down the road about 40 mph and my 88 305 just died as I was driving. I came to a stop, put it in park and tried to restart it. nothing happened. I put it in neutral and tried to start it but nothing again. none of the dash lights came on while I was trying to start it. It would not even try to turn over. After moving the shifter to park and neutral several times it finally started. I don't think a bad starter or neutral safety switch would cause it to die while driving down the road. Any help would be great.

Zane M

iTrader: (1)

Are you using a parts store module or a Delco?
If it isn't Delco, that could very well be your problem.

RedLeader289

iTrader: (2)

That would be a textbook description of one going out. As it could be said tha the reason it started after a while was because the icm had cooled down enough to let it run. Either way, check your icm and your coil.

I replaced mine with a delco, (and it wasn't all that more expensive than a knock-off). Go with good parts.

MoJoe

iTrader: (5)

There was another thread recently pointing out that Delco of today isn't the same Delco of 20+ years ago. A good aftermarket replacement/upgrade might be a better choice.

To the OP; Has anything else changed before your ICMs started dying? New coil? Wiring repairs?

RedLeader289

iTrader: (2)

Just to bump this thread - My ICM died again (for those of you keeping count that's the 3rd one in the past year). I THOUGHT I was buying good parts (Made in USA, from Napa). However, after doing more research my next one is going to be an AC Delco with the white heat sink grease that you purchase (not the clear stuff that comes with the part, although it's better than nothing it doesn't dissipate heat as well).


I have an advanced auto ICM in it at the moment (that's just what I had as a spare). But I don't plan to drive it much until I get the AC Delco in a week or two.


AC Delco may not be the AC Delco of 20 years ago, but they're still doing something slightly different than these knock-off aftermarket manufacturers.

bop11

Did you replace the coil? If it has some shorted windings, it may be stressing the ICM. It will still produce spark but not as hot and pull more current.

RedLeader289

iTrader: (2)

Before the last ICM popped I did replace the coil, with a nice MSD one.

JGill450

NOT TRUE! I'm a computer tech and very familiar with the benefits of heat sink grease. I to put grease on my ICM's which keep going out. I contacted Wells after there best ICM ever failed after one year and the tech stated "the ICM is designed to work WITHOUT heat sink grease", I to was shocked.

JGill450

Did that solve the problem, I haven't changed the coils in five years and the computer doesn't show any codes.

NINÅ

"Designed", maybe, however heat sink grease will help.

To anyone with a recurring ICM problem, the coil should be replaced.

sc4ram

I've got a ICM (HEI) question, this is not Camaro specific, but I've got a HEI issue, and there are folks on here smarter than I that may have some insight. I have a '82 Chevy 454 where the engine simply died while it was going down the highway. It has a weak spark (not enough to jump a HEI gap) , I've replaced the coil, I've put a trouble light on the Batt input (to the coil) to Tach and its blinking while the engine is cranking (telling me the module is functional) , there is 12+V on the Batt input to the coil with ignition on, this drops to ~8.9V while cranking. Given the engine quit while it was running (presumably with 12+V on the Batt coil input) I'm assuming the ~8.9V under cranking isn't the problem. The only other thing I can think of being suspect is possibly the pick up coil has gone bad? If someone sees something obvious here, I'd appreciate some feedback. Thanks!