Spare Ignition Control Module

[Zed2]

A friend of mine suggested that I keep a spare ICM in my 1990 GW if I experience erratic ignition during one of my longer trips. I would like to get one from a salvage yard rather than spending big $$$ on a new one that I may never need. Is there a way to test a used ICM to ensure that it functions correctly?
Thanks,
Keith

[The Anti-Chrysler]

Only by plugging it in and running it. Also, you could always buy a new unit with the older style plugs ('87 and older, I recall), and just cut the weather paks off yours if you needed to. That's the only difference there is, with a big difference in price. I usually carry a spare module myself.

[AMX factor]

Not to sound like an a**hole but spend the money on the new one. Going the cheap route and getting a used one could do exactly what you bought it to try and avoid..being standed. Most auto parts stores sell a ICM with a lifetime warranty to you'll only have to replace it once. I paid $60 for my extra with a lifetime warranty 2 years ago and I have had to use it twice. I actually have 2 so I can swap out when needed. I've had modules last years and other last weeks.

[95pontiac]

I have an '88 Grand - where do you physically find the ICM in the Jeep? Why are they so prone to fail? What are the signs that they are failing?

Thanks!

[The Anti-Chrysler]

It's on the left hand inner fender well (driver's side). It's a silver box, about 4" square with two plugs coming off it. When they fail, the engine will intermittently quit, or totally quit. Usually there aren't many warning signs. The reason they fail, is because they're FORD, and a totally lousy design.

[KYJ10]

Or you could just plunk down another $60 and run an MSD box. Just a thought. Dennis

[andy d]

uhhmn, i guess, im justlucky, ive never had one fail. im on my 5 wag, i had a 75 ltd that went thru about a dozen of them. i wouldnt hestitate to get one from a junker. btw, ive got 2 hanging in the shop.

[Elliott]

Swap in one of Ted Wendel's single wire hookup GM HEI distributors and leave all that crap behind you and ditch the coil at the same time. For ~$165. why wait for more grief.

[marcd]

Just got mine from Ted today smile.gif

Hopefully I'll have it in this weekend.

[Serious Johnson]

I haven't found new ones to be a whit more reliable than used ones, and see no rhyme or reason to their failure. Heat? I've had 'em go out at 10 below. Vibration? Had two fail while gliding down the SuperSlab. One new box was inoperative right off the shelf. Of course, these all could have been latent damage just ticking away. Great Googley MoogleyGreat Googley MoogleyGreat Googley MoogleyGreat Googley Moogley, I hate sealed black boxes!

I just keep a "new" one taped to the top of the old one for quick swapping. Maybe I should wire them to a dash toggle with an idiot light to remind me when I'm running on the spare.

:-

[The Anti-Chrysler]

Originally posted by Serious Johnson:
I haven't found new ones to be a whit more reliable than used ones, and see no rhyme or reason to their failure. Heat? I've had 'em go out at 10 below. Vibration? Had two fail while gliding down the SuperSlab. One new box was inoperative right off the shelf. Of course, these all could have been latent damage just ticking away. Great Googley MoogleyGreat Googley MoogleyGreat Googley MoogleyGreat Googley Moogley, I hate sealed black boxes!

I just keep a "new" one taped to the top of the old one for quick swapping. Maybe I should wire them to a dash toggle with an idiot light to remind me when I'm running on the spare.

:-I like that idea. Kind of like switching gas tanks in a Ford truck. A dash switch to switch modules. Get your patent paperwork in order now and market that baby!! :D

[Baldy]

I got mine from my retired 86 F150.

[79_Limited]

Swap in one of Ted Wendel's single wire hookup GM HEI distributors and leave all that crap behind you and ditch the coil at the same time. For ~$165. why wait for more grief I plan to do this next weekend as well. I hear good things about it. Good price for a piece of mind.

[KivaKid]

Points....

[tgreese]

Typically electronics (in general) suffers from "crib death." New stuff has a fairly high probability of failure, then tends to become more reliable until it's really old. If I got a new ECM for a spare, I'd run the new one and keep my older ECM as a spare.

BTW the same logic applies for ECMs as applies for engines. You're more likely to get a working ECM out of a wreck than out of a worn-out, discarded vehicle. JMO I also wouldn't take one out of a car that had an engine fire.

[ November 02, 2003, 05:38 PM: Message edited by: tgreese ]

[Babalou]

I would have to agree with AMX Factor. The first time my ICM failed my wife was stranded 300 miles from home and it took three days before one of the bone heads at the garage in her home town thought to try swapping ICM (I was in Bosnia at the time and didn't hear about it untill I got home). After hearing this I ran out and installed a MSD 6 and kept the newly installed OEM ICM as a back up. recently the MSD 6 caught fire and has been removed from the Wagoneer. a week or three after that the OEM ICM began causing the engine to shut off with such finese you didn't even know it was dead till you noticed you were slowing down desite the throttle being on the carpet. I quickly went to NAPA to purchase "another" new ICM. So far, all is well. Once I scrape together enough loose change I will be purchasing another spare.

[JAllenWAG]

I think I'm the only one that's never had trouble with my module! I have 194,000 miles on the original ign module...of course now that I say that it probably won't start in the morning.

[Babalou]

JAllenWAG:
My friend, I wish you have another 194,000 miles without ever having a problem. Goodluck with that.

[JAllenWAG]

Yeah I think that may be the only part under the hood that hasn't been replaced!

[WoodyHank]

Replaced Woody's original (Jan 85, 149,500) ignition module today (boy, that was easy! with some help). His wasn't dead, but he was having slower and slower starts. Much better with the new one. But the Ted Wendel option sounds great--am I reading this correctly: it replaces the ignition module, starter relay and coil? For $165? And it works? Where do woody & I sign up? (the ted wendel link I found didn't work)

[ November 03, 2003, 12:06 AM: Message edited by: WoodyHank ]

[710 Burner]

Of course, HEI distributors are prone to burning a hole through the rotor. Then they just don't start.

[The Anti-Chrysler]

If you carry an extra module in the vehicle with you, then it's not really a big deal if you burn out one. And if it's attached to the top of the original one, then it's an easy plug change. Keep your slip for warranty if you get a new module, since you might cash in on it.

I think personally I've gone thru 3 modules.