What Are The Symptoms Of A Bad Ignition Control Module? How To Resolve?

A malfunctioning ignition control module will immediately be noticeable in any new automobile. You can not start your car if you’ve got the problem, and the symptoms are rather evident.

So, in this writing, we will list some symptoms of a bad ignition control module for you and their causes.

What Are The Symptoms Of A Bad Ignition Control Module?

What are the signs of a bad ignition control module?

Your car’s ignition relies on a module that acts as its brain. Like every other part of a car, the ignition module will wear out and fail in time.

Early detection of bad ignition module symptoms may help reduce malfunctions. These are the most often experienced signs.

Temperature

Ignition module malfunctions may potentially manifest as overheating.

Overheated ignition modules cause the vehicle to stutter and produce a gasoline smell and may cause electrical shocks and smoke to come out of the tailpipe.

To test the module’s temperature, drive the vehicle or idle the engine.

The ignition switch may be malfunctioning, which would cause the automobile to stall.

If necessary, use cold water or a cooler to bring the temperature down. Until you can fix them, however, this will have to do.

Acceleration Difficulties

A malfunctioning spark plug may also cause a vehicle to accelerate slowly. An issue with the ignition might cause your car’s jerky acceleration.

There’s a chance it won’t be able to generate a spark strong enough to start your car’s engine. When the accelerator is applied, the car could make a jolting, vibrating, or shaking motion.

Increases in velocity may be met with hesitancy or insufficient power.

Ultimately, your vehicle will have no power and won’t start. The injectors should also be checked since they may be the source of the problem.

A possible fix involves switching out the spark plugs and the ignition cables.

Trouble Starting

An additional sign is a lack of ignition spark. There are four factors necessary to successfully start and operate a combustion-powered vehicle.

Combustion consists of four stages: exhaust, compression, ignition, and fuel pump. If the electronic ignition controller fails, the issue might be caused by a messy input.

Thus double-checking the inputs is a quick way to fix it. The failure of the ignition module is a serious issue since it prevents the car from starting. The automobile will also not start.

The ignition coil is functional if it clicks when you turn the key.

However, if the ignition control module is malfunctioning, no electricity will be produced, and hence no spark will be produced to initiate combustion.

Illumination of the Check Engine Light

A faulty ignition may cause the check engine light to come on, as with other systems. The check engine light comes on when there is a problem, as you know.

This indicator will illuminate if the onboard diagnostic system detects a potential issue with the electronic ignition circuit. Ignitor performance issues, such as misfires, may also play a role.

You may check for the issue by inserting an OBD scan tool into your vehicle’s OBD port. Misfires may be detected using the DTCs p0300–P0312.

If you can’t figure out what’s wrong with your car without the right equipment, you should probably just take it in for service.

Harsh Engine

A misfire is a common sign of incomplete combustion in an engine. There is another name for it, “harsh engine.” An igniter failure or other issues might jeopardize the engine’s spark.

Failures in performance, such as misfires and a decrease in power, may result from this. This might happen while driving if the gasoline mixture in your engine is not igniting correctly.

The number of bad coils will determine how much trouble you’ll have starting the engine.

It is also important to rule out the possibility that the engine’s difficulty starting is due to a fault other than the dead battery.

Engine Malfunction

A non-functioning ignition control module will prevent the engine from starting since it is located between the ignition coil and the ECU (engine control unit).

There is nothing that could trigger the gasoline to catch fire in the absence of electricity reaching the spark plugs.

Smell of Gasoline

Only when the ignition control module malfunctions and the timing of the spark plugs are delayed will you detect a fuel odor coming from the tailpipe.

This is because when the outlet valve opens, the unburned gasoline from the engine is released into the atmosphere because of the delayed ignition timing.

This, however, is quite improbable. It’s best to examine your radiator temperature gauge if this is the sole sign of trouble.

What Are The Causes Of A Bad Ignition Control Module?

You have already learned about the signs of a faulty ignition control module. Here are some causes for this issues:

Ineffective Diode

Diodes, or one-way switches, are the primary element of an ignition control module.

For the engine to get a spark, the electronic control unit (ECU) must transmit a message to the ignition control module, which grounds the ignition coil.

If you see sporadic stalling, as mentioned above, this is the component that likely failed. These diodes will inevitably fail, as with almost all others.

Getting older

No matter how reliable they may be in other contexts, electronics will always fail in a vehicle.

For example, ignition control modules often fail prematurely due to age since they endure many heat cycles every time the engine is started.

Solder joints and printed circuit boards are particularly susceptible to cracking and breaking due to repeated cycles of heating and cooling, expansions, and compression.

This type of setback is unavoidable, sadly. If you want it to endure longer, your only option is to replace it with higher quality.

Increases In Voltage

If your battery is old, your alternator is malfunctioning, or your voltage regulator is worn out, you will experience a voltage spike.

Many of your car’s electrical parts, including the ignition control module, are vulnerable to damage from voltage spikes. If ICM fails, inspecting the alternator’s output is also a good idea.

Plug Or Connector Has Corrosion

Although all electrical connections in the engine compartment are, in principle, watertight, they are nonetheless susceptible to water damage and corrosion from time to time.

So always start by inspecting the connection and cleaning it with contact cleaning spray when working with a malfunctioning ignition control module.

Water

The possibility of moisture penetrating an ignition control module is very low, yet it does exist. Still, it’s impossible to tell for sure.

Regardless of whether it is, doing so will irreparably damage it, leaving you with no choice except to replace it.

How To Check A Bad Ignition Control Module

A defective ignition control module may be replaced after proper diagnosis.

You will know whether you need to replace the spark plugs, the module, or the wire that connects to it. Here’s how to tell whether there is a faulty ignition control module.

Step 1: Locate The Ignition Module

The first step is to identify the ignition control module in your vehicle.

Search the web or check the manual. The next step is to get familiar with the wiring diagram. Finally, be careful to locate and label the ICM’s input and output terminals.

Part 2: Using A Multimeter To Check The Ignition Control Module

Get your digital volt-ohm meter (DVOM) and hook the negative line to the negative battery terminal.

Get someone else to turn the key in the ignition. Then, use the digital multimeter’s positive lead to check the module’s various terminals.

Make that ohm (Ω) is selected as the unit of measurement on the device. The ignition control module must be replaced if the multimeter shows no resistance.

Step 3: Conduct A Current Test On The Spark Plugs

You should also check the spark plugs for spark if you get a readout from the control module. Finally, get out your battery tester and attach the positive end of the cable to the battery.

Get someone to start the engine while you place the test light’s probe on the negative terminal of a spark plug.

In case the indicator light is constantly blinking, the spark plugs are fine. However, if the indicator light on the device gives no readings, you should check the connections.

Step 4: Make Sure The Wires are Connected By Testing For Continuity

Inspect the wiring if there is no electricity at the ignition control module and the spark plugs.

Look for signs of corrosion, burns, broken wires, and other damage. Use your digital multimeter to check the cables leading to and from the ICM.

Multimeter readings that go on forever indicate symptoms of bad ICM wiring. You’ll have to rerun the tests after switching out the cables.

A specialist may be needed for this task. If you’re up for the challenge, however, it’s still possible.

FAQs

Here are some questions relating to signs of a bad ignition module:

What Is the Cost Of Replacing the Ignition Control Module?

The typical repair cost to replace an ignition control module is around $300 and $403. The price of labor is predicted to be between $56 to $71, while the cost of components is put at $244 to $332.

That number does not take into account the specifics of your car or location and, thus, does not include applicable taxes or fees. Perhaps maintenance in this area is required as well.

Can I Fix the Bad Ignition Control Module? How?

Each car has a unique degree of ICM repair complexity. This is because the placement of the ignition control module might change depending on the manufacturer.

In some cases, using the ICM will be a breeze, but in others, it will be more of a challenge.

If you think your ICM could be broken, have your car checked out by an experienced mechanic as soon as possible. Get any broken parts replaced, and your vehicle will run like new in no time.

How Many Types Of Ignition Control Modules?

Conventional breaker-point (mechanical) ignitions, distributor-less (waste spark) ignition, high-energy (electronic) ignitions, and coil-on-plug ignition are the four kinds of ignition systems now utilized in most automobiles and trucks.

Conclusion

If you still want to drive your automobile while spotting all these issues, you are taking an extremely unsafe action that might end in tragedy.

It’s risky to drive with an engine that stalls, engine misfires, or runs roughly, particularly on the highway.

As a driver, you are responsible for monitoring your vehicle. Most symptoms of a bad ignition control module may also be connected to other malfunctioning components.

Therefore it is important to investigate each possibility before deciding on the root cause.