1990 2.5L MSD ignition control module, etc?

[bigtimmy45]

I am entertaining ideas of switching to MSD ignition for my car if the ICM has failed on mine - I currently have a stock 2.5L 4 cylinder that may very well have a bad ignition control module (still doing diagnostics on it)

I am considering this move to MSD because I think I can mount it elsewhere other than where it will get hot like stock part is located right now - if someone has done this or can help me with a link showing me it has been done, I would appreciate this

I have been trying to search for information but nothing yet - I will prevail if the information is out there

Thanks

[john51md]

Originally Posted by bigtimmy45

I am entertaining ideas of switching to MSD ignition for my car if the ICM has failed on mine - I currently have a stock 2.5L 4 cylinder that may very well have a bad ignition control module (still doing diagnostics on it)

I am considering this move to MSD because I think I can mount it elsewhere other than where it will get hot like stock part is located right now - if someone has done this or can help me with a link showing me it has been done, I would appreciate this

I have been trying to search for information but nothing yet - I will prevail if the information is out there

Thanks

I had the same car/engine. new modual was about 80.00 first one lasted over 150k miles, secons was still working wehn i scrapped the car at 300k
Hard to do MSD because the crank sensor on the 2.5 plugs into the modual from the back side of the modual against block, not impossibe, but really worth the expense?
If it were a v6 like my Z24 i now run, you can move modual/coils to fender well area easily, as crank sensor has wire running to it.Not so easy on a 2.5

[bigtimmy45]

did extensive diagnosis on ICM today and found it to be dead or else the coils are dead - no ckp sensor popping up as being bad but what I am gonna do is just replace it all at once (ICM, coils and ckp) - also gonna go ahead and change plugs and plug wires at same time to give it a good tune up for the winter

I appreciate the input about msd ignition - thinking about getting rid of this car in the spring but need wheels for the winter and less expensive right now to fix than to replace - gonna be a great car for someone next spring

Thanks

[john51md]

Originally Posted by bigtimmy45

did extensive diagnosis on ICM today and found it to be dead or else the coils are dead - no ckp sensor popping up as being bad but what I am gonna do is just replace it all at once (ICM, coils and ckp) - also gonna go ahead and change plugs and plug wires at same time to give it a good tune up for the winter

I appreciate the input about msd ignition - thinking about getting rid of this car in the spring but need wheels for the winter and less expensive right now to fix than to replace - gonna be a great car for someone next spring

Thanks

I had a lot of trouble with Advance auto Parts crank sensors in mine, the metal contacts inside the sensor end kept breaking off i suspose from the heat/cool cycle of the engine. The last one would start a cold engine, run for about 20 minutes then die, let cool, it would run that long again, the contacts kept breaking contact inside where the modual plugged into it, just a FYI. Also, coils from a V6 will work on these as well, like a 2.8/3.1/etc
I also got a new Ign. modual from Advance that was dead out of the box once, so be aware if shopping there
Also, watch the plug wires where they wrap around from the coils up past the engine head, right in between engine side and exaust pipe, the dumbest way the factory could have ran them, keep them far away from pipe as possibe. They actually stopped the pipe heat sheild short of where the wires are the closest to pipe..... brilliant!!!

[bigtimmy45]

Thank you for the heads up on routing spark plug wiring when I get it done eventually. Tahnkfully we dont have an "Advance Auto Parts" in my area. We have several and I am usually shopping at AutoZone. They carry Bosch parts for my Lumina with terrific warranties and they stand by the manufacturers warranty without prejudice on how much time has passed.

Bosch even makes a crank positon sensor that I will get when I replace ICM later this week while old ICM is off car. Wish there was a way to reroute plug wires more away from exhaust piping but will do best I can with what I have.

[john51md]

Originally Posted by bigtimmy45

Thank you for the heads up on routing spark plug wiring when I get it done eventually. Tahnkfully we dont have an "Advance Auto Parts" in my area. We have several and I am usually shopping at AutoZone. They carry Bosch parts for my Lumina with terrific warranties and they stand by the manufacturers warranty without prejudice on how much time has passed.

Bosch even makes a crank positon sensor that I will get when I replace ICM later this week while old ICM is off car. Wish there was a way to reroute plug wires more away from exhaust piping but will do best I can with what I have.

Its possible to route the wires different if you are willing to spend a few $$ more, you can get a universal set of wires,MSD has has a set, 8 plug wires in the set to cover V8/V6/and 4 cyl cars. 40/50 $ . Only catch is you have to cut to length and install clips and boots on the plug ends.
I was going to do that with mine if i had kept it. I put a cheap set on it once, routed away from pipe as far as possibe in original location, and within a year, where they were closest to the pipe, you could bend the wire and snap it like a match stick. Yea.. its that bad on these.. So whatever you do, dont go with elcheapo wires. Honestly, some header heat wrap would be excellent on pipe in that area.