StevoDVS

98 Honda Civic EX (Auto-to-Manual) with 95 GSR swap; OBD1 ecu with jumper harness to OBD2 Civic EX harness. distributor is TD-87U.

aside from OEM/Stealership, where would be the best place/shop/parts store to get a Ignition Control Module replacement??

Mahalo in advance!!

muellersfan

Why do you want to replace it?

StevoDVS

coupe is dying out while driving. it just shuts down. been researching and this is 'one' of the culprits.

muellersfan

Could be the ICM.

When the engine stalls, does it always restart immediately?

StevoDVS

no it doesn't. gotta let it sit for 5-10 minutes before it'll start up again. yeah, i was coming to the conclusion that it could be the Ignition Control Module aka ICM?? just hoping that i could get a recommendation on which is the better one to get other than OEM.

muellersfan

Could be ICM, coil, or something else. When the engine won't start immediately, check for spark at the plugs. If there's no spark, then you may be on the right track, if the coil is good.

You could buy online from Amazon or Rockauto.

Or any local auto parts stores, though they'll generally be more expensive.

StevoDVS

much mahalo @muellersfan !!!

California98Civ

Years ago I had this problem on my 98 Civic DX. I first diagnosed it as ICM. Wrong. Was coil. Got a replacement (the whole distributor, I think) from Autozone and the problem has never recurred yet. When the coil got hot after some time driving (not just warm up) it would expand from heat and temporarily fail. Waiting 10 mins gave it time to cool and contract and it would run alright again.

StevoDVS

damn! i was just thinking about swapping out the whole distributor too. i'm kinda stuck on the whole 'OEM' deal but sometimes it's just way too expensive. smh. gotta pay to play, right? thanks for the info; i may end up just getting the distributor. we'll see.

muellersfan

Keep the Honda distributor. It can be rebuilt. Nothing else comes close.

JRCivic1

This is an incredibly important statement. The factory distributor housings are WAY better than aftermarket ones... so if you have an ICM or coil failure, replace it and don't junk the dizzy. The aftermarket crap is cheap junk.

StevoDVS

totally agree!!! and most definitely will not be getting rid of that bad boy!!

StevoDVS

yup most def agree with @muellersfan statement!! and yes that's what i totally wanna do is rebuild my distributor but was looking for other options with the ICM and COIL to be replaced. and I SHOULD KNOW BETTER than to just stick with OEM as much as possible...it's just that cost tho lmao

JRCivic1

Actually, I have had exceptional luck with the Accele replacement coils which are more affordable than OE and you can get NEC and Tec ICM's in the aftermarket for less money as well. The KEY to making a replacement ICM last long term is to use a liberal amount of conductive paste between the ICM and the heat-sink during installation.

StevoDVS

thanks, man!! money is kinda tight atm so i'll def check into the accele replacement coils. i also gotta remember to put that 'liberal' amount of conducive paste as well when swapping out the ICM.