Preemptive ICM and Coil replacement
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,074
Likes: 280
From: Dyersburg TN
Preemptive ICM and Coil replacement
reading misc posts let me through several talking about failing ignition modules and coils. at 92k should this be done preemptive repair to avoid or just wait until it acts up?
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,355
Likes: 396
From: Northwest Ohio
I was one of the ones with this problem.
I would suggest leaving it alone. If you are worried maybe pick up a spare ICM but they aren’t exactly cheap…coils are… I probably should have done the coil when I replaced everything else (opti, wires, plugs) but my coil wasn’t the problem anyway.
It appears my ICM may have not been OEM so that could be reason for failure, plus almost completely gone heat sink compound.
If it was me, and in retrospect, I would get some high quality heat sink compound, remove and clean the ICM/heat sink, reapply with the good compound and reinstall. I suspect the compound dries out and or oozes out over time and may contribute to failures.
I would suggest leaving it alone. If you are worried maybe pick up a spare ICM but they aren’t exactly cheap…coils are… I probably should have done the coil when I replaced everything else (opti, wires, plugs) but my coil wasn’t the problem anyway.
It appears my ICM may have not been OEM so that could be reason for failure, plus almost completely gone heat sink compound.
If it was me, and in retrospect, I would get some high quality heat sink compound, remove and clean the ICM/heat sink, reapply with the good compound and reinstall. I suspect the compound dries out and or oozes out over time and may contribute to failures.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
Likes: 3,215
From: Park City Utah
I would suggest leaving it alone.
If it was me, and in retrospect, I would get some high quality heat sink compound, remove and clean the ICM/heat sink, reapply with the good compound and reinstall. I suspect the compound dries out and or oozes out over time and may contribute to failures.
If it was me, and in retrospect, I would get some high quality heat sink compound, remove and clean the ICM/heat sink, reapply with the good compound and reinstall. I suspect the compound dries out and or oozes out over time and may contribute to failures.
You won't get aftermarket components that are as good as OEM components....so if the OEM is working, keep it working.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 113
Likes: 51
I bought my 96 with 80 grand on the dial. First thing I did was replace the 27 year old ignition parts, sensors and switches that feeds the ECM information. If I could not find AC Delco or Delphi, I went with NAPA which is Standard Automotive brand and good quality most of the time. Because I'm running NGK plugs, I went with their top line coil and an AC Delco module. On a 96, you need to stick to Delco on the module, otherwise you'll get a CEL. I found this out by replacing the module with NGK as well and got the CEL light. Plenty of threads on that one. I feel better with all brand new parts versus parts with over 80 grand and 27 years old that feeds information to the ECM. If you have the money? I think it's a good idea. Especially if you're tuning your car for more torque and horsepower.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 113
Likes: 51
Go argue platitudes with yourself, not wasting anymore time with you. Did plenty of that years ago in the Crossfire forum. Open a TunerCat or Jet DST. The ECM controls just about everything on a 95-96 including timing.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
Likes: 3,215
From: Park City Utah
Good thing you didn't waste your time arguing! 
I don't need to open a TunerCat or a Jet DST: I already know how the ignition works.
IDK who you are, since you changed usernames, but based on what you've just posted, I fully believe that you: "Did plenty of that years ago in the Crossfire forum", because you were wrong then, too.
Anyway, you're absolutely right that "the ECM controls just about everything on a 95-96 including timing". That's not what you said in your first post though. The ECM does control timing...however, YOU said,
And hey....it's GREAT doing maintenance that helps you "Feel better"...but that is treating a psychological issue....not an actual one. My LT1 is 31 years old and has 206k on it. I've never changed the ICM or the coil. What am I missing??
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 113
Likes: 51
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Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
Likes: 3,215
From: Park City Utah
Attacking two veteran, high contributing forum members? Already? You're off to a rough start here.
You could learn-a-thing...but maybe you should go back to the CFI forums, instead. This one might not be a great fit.
You could learn-a-thing...but maybe you should go back to the CFI forums, instead. This one might not be a great fit.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 113
Likes: 51
Aww, did your feelers get hurt there buddy boy?? It's all good man, continue to rule your world. Meanwhile, I'll be moving onward. See you in the next one I comment in since you like to follow me around. A difference in opinion was never your strong suit.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,074
Likes: 280
From: Dyersburg TN
I am interested in the thermal paste between the cylinder head and heat sink as well as between the ICM and heat sink. Still trying to processes the "hot headed" LT1 cylinder head being a place to shed excess thermal energy.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,355
Likes: 396
From: Northwest Ohio
Thermal paste does not go between the coil/ICM mount and the head. I put it in between the ICM and the heat sink (a separate piece of metal) and the heat sink and the coil mount. Not sure if the latter helps much but there was some residue there when I took it apart (directions didn’t ask for this I don’t believe). I figure that adds the coil mount to the overall “sink”.
If having it attached to the head was a problem they would fail a lot more frequently. I think the head, while hot, may keep the ICM cooler than if it was mounted to somewhere else or “free floating” somewhere…and you’d have to find a way to mount it on a giant heat sink (which the head is). Since there is no thermal paste between the head and mount the transfer isn’t ideal either…but still I think it was all designed this way and I wouldn’t worry about it.
critical is the paste between the ICM and the small heat sink. Putting fresh stuff there I think is a great preventative.
If having it attached to the head was a problem they would fail a lot more frequently. I think the head, while hot, may keep the ICM cooler than if it was mounted to somewhere else or “free floating” somewhere…and you’d have to find a way to mount it on a giant heat sink (which the head is). Since there is no thermal paste between the head and mount the transfer isn’t ideal either…but still I think it was all designed this way and I wouldn’t worry about it.
critical is the paste between the ICM and the small heat sink. Putting fresh stuff there I think is a great preventative.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
Likes: 3,215
From: Park City Utah
^True^^
Krk, Ha ha ha...you poor thing. No feelings hurt here, but I'll address your continued BFS:
Ah...I've been a member here since ~2004. You? Less than a year. You called me out from posts that I made on the CFI forum...from 20 years ago!? Wow.... IDK who you are, and don't really care since most of your posts are dog ****, but who's "following" who?
And there is where you go off the rails; you can't decipher the difference between opinion, and fact. That's unfortunate for you. For example, in this thread, it's your opinion that you should change electrical components, because it helps you feel better. That's an opinion and you're entirely welcome to that opinion.
On the other hand, you stated that the ICM and ignition coil are parts that "feed the ECM information"....they do not, and that is not opinion, that is fact. I corrected that fact, and you obviously can not handle that correction, which is unfortunate.
Awesome. Best idea I've heard from you, yet. As you were.
.
Krk, Ha ha ha...you poor thing. No feelings hurt here, but I'll address your continued BFS:
And there is where you go off the rails; you can't decipher the difference between opinion, and fact. That's unfortunate for you. For example, in this thread, it's your opinion that you should change electrical components, because it helps you feel better. That's an opinion and you're entirely welcome to that opinion.
On the other hand, you stated that the ICM and ignition coil are parts that "feed the ECM information"....they do not, and that is not opinion, that is fact. I corrected that fact, and you obviously can not handle that correction, which is unfortunate.
Awesome. Best idea I've heard from you, yet. As you were. .
Last edited by Tom400CFI; May 25, 2023 at 10:58 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 113
Likes: 51
^True^^
Krk, Ha ha ha...you poor thing. No feelings hurt here, but I'll address your continued BFS:
Ah...I've been a member here since ~2004. You? Less than a year. You called me out from posts that I made on the CFI forum...from 20 years ago!? Wow.... IDK who you are, and don't really care since most of your posts are dog ****, but who's "following" who?
And there is where you go off the rails; you can't decipher the difference between opinion, and fact. That's unfortunate for you. For example, in this thread, it's your opinion that you should change electrical components, because it helps you feel better. That's an opinion and you're entirely welcome to that opinion.
On the other hand, you stated that the ICM and ignition coil are parts that "feed the ECM information"....they do not, and that is not opinion, that is fact. I corrected that fact, and you obviously can not handle that correction, which is unfortunate.
Awesome. Best idea I've heard from you, yet. As you were.
.
Krk, Ha ha ha...you poor thing. No feelings hurt here, but I'll address your continued BFS:
Ah...I've been a member here since ~2004. You? Less than a year. You called me out from posts that I made on the CFI forum...from 20 years ago!? Wow.... IDK who you are, and don't really care since most of your posts are dog ****, but who's "following" who?
And there is where you go off the rails; you can't decipher the difference between opinion, and fact. That's unfortunate for you. For example, in this thread, it's your opinion that you should change electrical components, because it helps you feel better. That's an opinion and you're entirely welcome to that opinion.
On the other hand, you stated that the ICM and ignition coil are parts that "feed the ECM information"....they do not, and that is not opinion, that is fact. I corrected that fact, and you obviously can not handle that correction, which is unfortunate.
Awesome. Best idea I've heard from you, yet. As you were. .