Auto Parts Wharehouse

[Slyp]

I have a quick question.  How good are the parts from Auto Parts Wharehouse.  Looking a electrica egnition modules?

[MikeMac]

Are you looking for some spare parts to have on hand?

[Slyp]

I was looking at the modules that everybody seem to have spares of .  I think has to do with ignition/not sure

[GTRS Fiero]

For the V6, always have a spare ignition control module or 2, and some grease.

[GTRS Fiero]

There is a section in September's newsletter that may be of help to you.

[TopNotch]

For the V6, always have a spare ignition control module or 2, and some grease.

Actually, not grease, but heat sink compound. And the kind you get at Fry's or Micro Center is much better than the kind the comes with some ICM's.

[GTRS Fiero]

Thanks for the correction.  I couldn't remember what it was called.

[Slyp]

You all did not answer the question.  Are the modules sold by Auto Parts Wharehouse of good quality or is there a better one

[Fierofool]

Bob, I don't know anything about the modules from Auto Parts Warehouse, so I can't judge their quality.  I once paid high dollar for a GM module and it lasted less than a month.  I would suggest that you buy a Welles module or maybe a Sorensen.  I think they're both sold by AutoZone.  Stay away from the BWD brands in my opinion.  Make several copies of your receipt and drop the module and a copy into your center console glove box. 

The reason I suggest these brands is because they have lifetime warranties, and if you're on the road and have a failure, you only need to find an AutoZone store to get a replacement.  No need to go through the hassle of shipping it back. 

About the heat sink grease:  Like suggested, get a small tube at a computer store.  White or silver.  Not the clear stuff that usually comes with the module.  You can also maybe find the white heat sink grease at some auto parts stores. 

[Slyp]

Thanks for the info.  That is what I wanted to know,  Have you had these go out often and what causes that.  And is there supposed to be some kind of shield that goes around this module?

[GTRS Fiero]

The modules fail irregularly, and yes, there should be a heat shield between the distributor and the crossover pipe.  There is a shield under the coil, also.

Some of the module failures are caused by other issues.  At the 35th, for example, an ICM was replaced 5 times in a few hundred miles, but the issue was not the ICM itself.

There can also be issues with the wiring and connector.

Just know that the ICM will eventually fail, and there is no guarantee that the new ICM is good.

[Fierofool]

I believe your car has that shield GTRS mentions.  It stands upright, has a small bend in it.  Just to the left of the coil.  He's also right about there being many causes for ICM failures.  Weak ignition wires or plugs.  Weak ignition coil.  Weak pickup coil.  Poor grounds on the engine.  Anything that supplies power to make the engine run that generates more resistance can put a load on the ICM. 

Often the ICM will fail while the engine is turned off and when you return, the car won't start.  This is usually caused by heat soak.  Heat from the exhaust and engine soak into the distributor and ICM.  If a poor quality heat sink grease is used, or insufficient grease, the heat soaks into the ICM and one of the traces on the printed circuit board can break. 

I had a long spat of frequent failures on my 87.  For a while, I was reusing the failed ones, but each one eventually had a final death.  I believe my problem was either grounds or weak ignition system.  That was happening before I learned a little about what causes failures.  The ones I have in my 87 and in the 86 have been in each for at least 5 or 6 years.  But I still carry a spare and some white heatsink grease. 

[Slyp]

It would appear that the shield is not there.  I remember a long time ago I think it was changed.  And it looks like that the shield was not put back on again.  Any  ideas where I can get one?

[GTRS Fiero]

Just to be clear, this heat shield:


It goes under the coil and the distributor, and comes up  next to the EGR

[Slyp]

It looks like yours it two pieces/  Mine does not have the smaller shield or the longer one that goes around the distributer cap