Ignition Control Module - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Hugh Mongus · 06-17-2014, 09:03 AM

What would cause my ignition control module to fail 3 times in about 6 months? I have 12v to the distributor and the engine is grounded directly to the battery. I have replaced the coil, rotor, cap, and wires all with Accel parts. I have been buying Borg/Warner control modules and they only last about 2 months then die. When I say two months I am talking about driving about 1000 miles total over a 6 month period.

71K20chevy · 06-17-2014, 09:12 AM

Too much heat?

67ChevyRedneck · 06-17-2014, 09:13 AM

Sounds like you may be missing the coil ground strap that goes inside of the cap?

Hugh Mongus · 06-17-2014, 09:34 AM

I know the coil ground strap is in there, I replaced it with the new coil and cap.

How would I know if it was a heat issue? I used the dielectric grease that came with the module, and the engine has never been over heated.

Hugh Mongus · 06-17-2014, 09:35 AM

Can the high output coil be too much for a stock module? Should I replace the module with a performance module rather than the Oreillys part?

68gmsee · 06-17-2014, 09:38 AM

Make sure you're using the heat dissipating grease for the module.

Hugh Mongus · 06-17-2014, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 68gmsee

Make sure you're using the heat dissipating grease for the module.

I used the grease that came with the module. I coated the underneath side of the module well before I installed it.

**Steeveedee** · 06-17-2014, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 67ChevyRedneck

Sounds like you may be missing the coil ground strap that goes inside of the cap?

This too. I've seen modules fail overnight when another mechanic I worked with (the boss!) accidentally left this critter out. Since I didn't know what had happened at the time (but knew that the strap had to be there), I fabricated a ground strap with a piece of wire and some crimp-on connectors. A couple of days later, I spotted the ground strap on a shelf with the air filters. I showed the boss. The next time that car came in for (different) repairs, I put it back in for free. I also put the replacement ground strap in for free, as a warranty on the tune up. They were good customers; had a fleet of trucks and personal company cars. Little stuff like this carried a lot of good will.

Wrenchbender Ret · 06-17-2014, 04:55 PM

Check your charging voltage. It should not go over 14.5. 14 volts is preferred.

**Steeveedee** · 06-17-2014, 10:30 PM

Make sure your plug wires aren't high resistance or open (infinite resistance). This usually ends up blowing a hole in the rotor, but the high resistance also ends up causing high current on the primary side, leading to early failure of the module.

**paul mora** · 06-17-2014, 11:21 PM

I went through 3 and switched to Delco been running it for 6 years

Hugh Mongus · 06-18-2014, 08:37 AM

Thanks everyone. I will get a Delco module, and then check the voltage.

88Ironduke · 06-18-2014, 12:25 PM

I've known guys in the GM 60' V-6 community that were experiencing the same problem of heat saturation and less than ideal ignition control modules. Several guys fabbed up external heat sinks, extended the wiring and moved the module out of the cap. It is an option if you think heat is killing your modules and it is not related to an electrical issue. Just my .02 cents

88Ironduke

**landy** · 06-18-2014, 02:11 PM

Any recommendations for plug wires for the HEI setup?

67ChevyRedneck · 06-18-2014, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 88Ironduke

I've known guys in the GM 60' V-6 community that were experiencing the same problem of heat saturation and less than ideal ignition control modules. Several guys fabbed up external heat sinks, extended the wiring and moved the module out of the cap. It is an option if you think heat is killing your modules and it is not related to an electrical issue. Just my .02 cents

88Ironduke

I have never heard/seen of this before... until yesterday... there was a post on a mustang forum on how to make a Ford duraspark work with an older engine... a popular solution is to use a GM HEI control module...

Hugh Mongus · 06-19-2014, 10:26 AM

I removed the ICM yesterday and noticed it had dielectric grease under it instead of the creamy white/gray heat paste. I know I used the package that came with it. I'm wondering if this is what's killing the modules.

I am waiting for a Delco module to arrive Friday. I will make sure I use the heat paste not the dielectric stuff.

06-17-2014, 09:03 AM	#1
Hugh Mongus Registered User Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 360	Ignition Control Module What would cause my ignition control module to fail 3 times in about 6 months? I have 12v to the distributor and the engine is grounded directly to the battery. I have replaced the coil, rotor, cap, and wires all with Accel parts. I have been buying Borg/Warner control modules and they only last about 2 months then die. When I say two months I am talking about driving about 1000 miles total over a 6 month period. __________________ -Jason USN Retired

06-17-2014, 09:12 AM	#2
71K20chevy Registered User Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Ft Wayne Indiana Posts: 1,204	Re: Ignition Control Module Too much heat? __________________ 71 K20 64 GMC mud truck

06-17-2014, 09:13 AM	#3
67ChevyRedneck Hittin E-Z Street on Mud Tires Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 23,090	Re: Ignition Control Module Sounds like you may be missing the coil ground strap that goes inside of the cap? __________________ Jesse James 1967 C10 SWB Stepside: 350/700R4/3.73 1965 Ford Mustang: 289/T5-5spd/3.25 Trac-Loc 1968 Pontiac Firebird: Project Fire Chicken! 2015 Silverado Double Cab 5.3L Z71 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0L 5spd 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Premium 2.0L Turbo 2011 Mustang V6 ~ Wife's ride American Born, Country by the Grace of God 1967 CST Shop Truck Rebuild! My 1967 C-10 Build Thread My Vintage Air A/C Install Project "On a Dime" Trying my hand at Home Renovation! 1965 Mustang Modifications!

06-17-2014, 09:34 AM	#4
Hugh Mongus Registered User Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 360	Re: Ignition Control Module I know the coil ground strap is in there, I replaced it with the new coil and cap. How would I know if it was a heat issue? I used the dielectric grease that came with the module, and the engine has never been over heated. __________________ -Jason USN Retired

06-17-2014, 09:35 AM	#5
Hugh Mongus Registered User Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 360	Re: Ignition Control Module Can the high output coil be too much for a stock module? Should I replace the module with a performance module rather than the Oreillys part? __________________ -Jason USN Retired

06-17-2014, 09:38 AM	#6
68gmsee Active Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Centrally located between Houston, Austin and Waco. BCS area. Posts: 7,947	Re: Ignition Control Module Make sure you're using the heat dissipating grease for the module. __________________ 68 GMC 250/3 speed Saginaw p/b p/s 69 Chevy 350/350 currently in pieces still lookin for a cab 06 Trailblazer I just want a vehicle that I can work on, that won't talk to me, leave error msgs or keep track of how I drive...

06-17-2014, 04:55 PM	#9
Wrenchbender Ret Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Overland Park, Ks. Posts: 5,229	Re: Ignition Control Module Check your charging voltage. It should not go over 14.5. 14 volts is preferred.

06-17-2014, 10:30 PM	#10
Steeveedee Who Changed This? Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Simi Valley, CA Posts: 10,724	Re: Ignition Control Module Make sure your plug wires aren't high resistance or open (infinite resistance). This usually ends up blowing a hole in the rotor, but the high resistance also ends up causing high current on the primary side, leading to early failure of the module. __________________ ~Steven '70 Chevy 3/4T Longhorn CST 402/400/3.56 Custom Camper Simi Valley, CA

06-17-2014, 11:21 PM	#11
paul mora Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: huntington beach california Posts: 976	Re: Ignition Control Module I went through 3 and switched to Delco been running it for 6 years __________________ Pulatoy

06-18-2014, 08:37 AM	#12
Hugh Mongus Registered User Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 360	Re: Ignition Control Module Thanks everyone. I will get a Delco module, and then check the voltage. __________________ -Jason USN Retired

06-18-2014, 12:25 PM	#13
88Ironduke Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Willingboro, NJ Posts: 489	Re: Ignition Control Module I've known guys in the GM 60' V-6 community that were experiencing the same problem of heat saturation and less than ideal ignition control modules. Several guys fabbed up external heat sinks, extended the wiring and moved the module out of the cap. It is an option if you think heat is killing your modules and it is not related to an electrical issue. Just my .02 cents 88Ironduke __________________ Retired USAF - No rockets, no mortars, no bad guys shooting...No stress!!! My Build Thread: Project 72' Green http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=587932

06-18-2014, 02:11 PM	#14
landy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: alb, nm Posts: 413	Re: Ignition Control Module Any recommendations for plug wires for the HEI setup?

06-19-2014, 10:26 AM	#16
Hugh Mongus Registered User Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 360	Re: Ignition Control Module I removed the ICM yesterday and noticed it had dielectric grease under it instead of the creamy white/gray heat paste. I know I used the package that came with it. I'm wondering if this is what's killing the modules. I am waiting for a Delco module to arrive Friday. I will make sure I use the heat paste not the dielectric stuff. __________________ -Jason USN Retired



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