Ignition control module fail due to heat?
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 90
Likes: 3
From: Nashville TN
Ignition control module fail due to heat?
I have a 89 f150 4.9l. I am wondering do the ICM fail due to excessive heat? I live in South Carolina. Does anyone know what there temp rating is?
Thanks in advance.
Thanks in advance.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 156
Likes: 6
From: San Jose, CA
The obvious answer is yes, anything can fail w/ enough heat. But with that said, the inside of your engine compartment is much much hotter than anything the weather can produce. Even in the hottest climates like AZ or Death Valley you aren't going to be running into that many more failures due to heat. NOW of course IF your radiator can't keep up that's a whole other story but most stuff under your hood can deal with temps well in excess of what mother nature creates. Heat cycles can also cause issues mechanically and electrically so on these older trucks, again yes they can cause problems.
What is it doing?
What is it doing?
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 318
Likes: 20
From: Upstate South Carolina
The obvious answer is yes, anything can fail w/ enough heat. But with that said, the inside of your engine compartment is much much hotter than anything the weather can produce. Even in the hottest climates like AZ or Death Valley you aren't going to be running into that many more failures due to heat. NOW of course IF your radiator can't keep up that's a whole other story but most stuff under your hood can deal with temps well in excess of what mother nature creates. Heat cycles can also cause issues mechanically and electrically so on these older trucks, again yes they can cause problems.
What is it doing?
What is it doing?
I installed a remote mounting kit - heat sink and harness - made by McCully Racing Motors on my '91 5.8. I installed a NOS Motorcraft ignition module.
Do some searches and you will find lots of posts regarding the issue. Here is a link to one example I started.
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 12,832
Likes: 2,436
The answer is a very big YES. AFAIK your module is mounted on the distributor. The module is very prone to failing and in some cases very quickly.
I installed a remote mounting kit - heat sink and harness - made by McCully Racing Motors on my '91 5.8. I installed a NOS Motorcraft ignition module.
I installed a remote mounting kit - heat sink and harness - made by McCully Racing Motors on my '91 5.8. I installed a NOS Motorcraft ignition module.
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 318
Likes: 20
From: Upstate South Carolina
Between the ‘87 Bronco and the ‘89 F-150, I may have replaced one TFI module in over 300K miles of driving. The majority of that was the Bronco which I’ve owned since ‘96. On the Bronco I believe it was only replaced because the distributor was worn out and the dealer replaced it as an assembly.
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 318
Likes: 20
From: Upstate South Carolina
What symptoms are you experiencing?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,777
Likes: 863
From: Foothills of NC
I had an '84 Tempo that ate those modules like candy. So far my '87 F150 hasn't needed one in almost 30 years of ownership........BUT.......earlier this week I went to leave work. I cranked the truck, and within 5 seconds it quit, never to restart.
It was hot, so I called the local roll back to take it home. First time its ever left me sitting. It may be a fuel pump, as both the low and high pressure are original. I haven't tested anything yet since I have the Dodge to drive. Guess I'll try to do some research today to see if the problem is fuel or fire.
If fuel, I'm going to change both pumps, since the fuel gauge is messed up anyway. Been thinking about just putting in a new tank also. This truck sits a LOT, so who knows what the tank looks like inside.
Back to module, sorry for the hi-jack. It was hot the day my truck quit. With the Tempo, it would quit mostly at stop lights.
It was hot, so I called the local roll back to take it home. First time its ever left me sitting. It may be a fuel pump, as both the low and high pressure are original. I haven't tested anything yet since I have the Dodge to drive. Guess I'll try to do some research today to see if the problem is fuel or fire.
If fuel, I'm going to change both pumps, since the fuel gauge is messed up anyway. Been thinking about just putting in a new tank also. This truck sits a LOT, so who knows what the tank looks like inside.
Back to module, sorry for the hi-jack. It was hot the day my truck quit. With the Tempo, it would quit mostly at stop lights.
Trending Topics
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 318
Likes: 20
From: Upstate South Carolina
I had an '84 Tempo that ate those modules like candy. So far my '87 F150 hasn't needed one in almost 30 years of ownership........BUT.......earlier this week I went to leave work. I cranked the truck, and within 5 seconds it quit, never to restart.
It was hot, so I called the local roll back to take it home. First time its ever left me sitting. It may be a fuel pump, as both the low and high pressure are original. I haven't tested anything yet since I have the Dodge to drive. Guess I'll try to do some research today to see if the problem is fuel or fire.
If fuel, I'm going to change both pumps, since the fuel gauge is messed up anyway. Been thinking about just putting in a new tank also. This truck sits a LOT, so who knows what the tank looks like inside.
Back to module, sorry for the hi-jack. It was hot the day my truck quit. With the Tempo, it would quit mostly at stop lights.
It was hot, so I called the local roll back to take it home. First time its ever left me sitting. It may be a fuel pump, as both the low and high pressure are original. I haven't tested anything yet since I have the Dodge to drive. Guess I'll try to do some research today to see if the problem is fuel or fire.
If fuel, I'm going to change both pumps, since the fuel gauge is messed up anyway. Been thinking about just putting in a new tank also. This truck sits a LOT, so who knows what the tank looks like inside.
Back to module, sorry for the hi-jack. It was hot the day my truck quit. With the Tempo, it would quit mostly at stop lights.
The first failure I had after 25 years or so was mild bucking. This last go around was like a ride at Billy Bobs. Turned around 200 yds from my house and just got home.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,190
Likes: 620
Almost *every* failed TFI module that I've ever replaced, has been due to somebody using lithium grease, or dielectric grease, or nothing at all, between the module, and the distributor mounting pad. I don't think it's ever been a Quality control issue with the modules themselves, it's been improper installation. Mostly driven by the replacement modules being shipped with *without* thermal paste, or shipped with something *other* that thermal paste in the box with the module.
Just my $0.02
Just my $0.02
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 318
Likes: 20
From: Upstate South Carolina
Almost *every* failed TFI module that I've ever replaced, has been due to somebody using lithium grease, or dielectric grease, or nothing at all, between the module, and the distributor mounting pad. I don't think it's ever been a Quality control issue with the modules themselves, it's been improper installation. Mostly driven by the replacement modules being shipped with *without* thermal paste, or shipped with something *other* that thermal paste in the box with the module.
Just my $0.02
Just my $0.02
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 90
Likes: 3
From: Nashville TN
The answer is a very big YES. AFAIK your module is mounted on the distributor. The module is very prone to failing and in some cases very quickly. There was a major Class Action Lawsuit over this and Ford subsequently mounted the units remotely.
I installed a remote mounting kit - heat sink and harness - made by McCully Racing Motors on my '91 5.8. I installed a NOS Motorcraft ignition module.
Do some searches and you will find lots of posts regarding the issue. Here is a link to one example I started.
I installed a remote mounting kit - heat sink and harness - made by McCully Racing Motors on my '91 5.8. I installed a NOS Motorcraft ignition module.
Do some searches and you will find lots of posts regarding the issue. Here is a link to one example I started.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,190
Likes: 620
I would like to point out, in addition to using the proper thermal paste, this isn't a "install it and forget about it forever" kind of thing. I generally replace the thermal paste on my modules every so often, as the stuff *does* dry out, and isn't going to last forever through a number of heat cycles in an underhood environment.
