I've heard that the ICM on these cars need to be replaced fairly often. Not sure how true this is. I've replaced mine recently and was thinking about its location and the heat that builds up there. Is there any validity to this concern? Knowing how electronic components respond to heat, I was thinking this might be valid. If so, I was thinking that it would be easy to fabricate a wiring harness to re-locate it to a cooler location, like on the firewall for instance. Does it *have* to be located under the distributor? It looks like it uses the cylindrical metal thing underneath it as a heatsink. Don't know what that cylindrical component is, though, and how it factors into the functionality of the ICM. Thoughts? Suggestions?

 

It doesnt HAVE to be in the distributor, but its the best place for it. The bottom of the unit grounds to the dist base, plus its extremely water sensetive

A good module should give over a decade of operation. If you got a china made one from a local parts, store you will have recurring issues, much like the common replacement alt failures. Try rock auto for a good one

 

Thanks for the reply, Pocket. I bought a BWD unit from the local parts store because the last one failed and I needed it short notice. I guess I'll find out if it is crap or not soon enough. Considering your answer, I'll leave well enough alone.

My brother-in-law is a gearhead and turned me on to Rock Auto recently and I've seen others here on thirdgen recommend them as well. I'll be ordering some parts from them for both the T/A and my daily driver Accord soon.

 

With the crap local stores sell and their total lack of inventory, ordering from RA and 1/3-1/2 price of local chains, its worthwhile to grab everything from them

Icing on the cake is the discount codes they toss out every once in a while

 

Yep, you can't beat Rockauto! Other than chemicals, I buy most of my parts from them. I recently performed 3 complete AC services and of the 3, two required new compressors along with driers, orifice tubes, etc. and I bought all of it from Rockauto. I saved about 40% that way vs. dealing with parts store clowns who ask you 10 questions about your vehicle every time you need a part! And catalogs....? what's a catalog?

 

I like buying my parts from Rock Auto also and have found they offer the "Standard" Motor Parts brand with a lot of there products.

BWD is the Borg Warner Division owned and operated by Standard Motor Products. =

http://www.standardbrand.com/ROOT-Home1/Content.aspx

They are the dominating supplier for The Automotive Industry and are boxed under many names.

I'm interested to see if the BWD gives you any trouble.

 

I like Rock Auto but, there shipping can be kind of high on some things.

 

That was a problem with some mid 80s and 90s ford cars and trucks with the 302 and 351 engines. Ford made a aluminum heatsink and put them on the inner fender areas.
I've always wanted to install them in the airfilter housing to keep them cool.

 

I'll try to remember to post on this thread if it fails anytime soon.

Thanks everyone for commenting and adding to the discussion. I'm really enjoying the knowledge sharing here on thirdgen.

 

I just replaced the OEM ,ICM on my 86. yeah 28 yrs !! it was still working ,but weak. the main thing is using di electric grease AND a quality ICM. if you do that, it don't really give any problems (and mines the coil in cap type).