what does an ignition control module actually do?

20

Asked by warrior_016 Feb 18, 2015 at 02:01 PM about the 1985 Ford Thunderbird Elan RWD

Question type: General

I have an 85 Ford Thunderbird-5.0 v8 that I just bought, and it appears to not be charging after I start the car and drive it for awhile. If I stop it and try to restart- no juice to start it. There is an added button on the dash (someone added next to antenna button). If you look at the charging display on the dashboard, you can see that once the car is started, the charge goes down, unless you push the added button. Then the charge goes up to where it should be. Not sure what the ignition control module actually does. Need advise

2 Answers

85

It controls th ignition coil's firing time. The ignition control module is the heart of an automobile's ignition system. It regulates spark generation within the engine. The ignition control module relies on the car battery to provide the 'spark' that sets the ignition system in motion. The ignition control module is normally located inside or near the car's distributor and is usually coated with insulating compounds to protect its internal electronic components.

8 people found this helpful.
20

Ok so the ignition control module has absolutely nothing to do with the charging system. Understood. I have replaced Alternator, starter relay, and battery. I think this was a problem before that the only solution was to route a wire from the button to the ignition module, to make it charge. So here I am clueless in Seattle, thinking WTF.

2 people found this helpful.

Your Answer:

Own this car?

Share your experience with others.

1985 Ford Thunderbird

Review another car

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    Larry Sturgis
    Reputation
    3,010
  • #2
    Gene Arnett
    Reputation
    2,080
  • #3
    MrBlueOval
    Reputation
    1,580
View All

Know more, shop wisely

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Ford Mustang
964 Great Deals out of 19,592 listings starting at $2,499
Used Chevrolet Corvette
817 Great Deals out of 14,625 listings starting at $3,900
Used Chevrolet Camaro
611 Great Deals out of 8,368 listings starting at $1,877
Used Ford F-150
6,472 Great Deals out of 164,162 listings starting at $1,199
Used Mercury Cougar
60 listings
Used Pontiac Firebird
11 Great Deals out of 376 listings starting at $6,991
Used Ford Bronco
441 Great Deals out of 39,477 listings starting at $16,900
Used Lincoln Town Car
22 Great Deals out of 439 listings starting at $1,050
Used Lincoln Continental
15 Great Deals out of 474 listings starting at $6,999
Used Pontiac Grand Prix
200 listings starting at $4,000
Used Porsche 911
419 Great Deals out of 4,446 listings starting at $15,950
Used Chevrolet Impala
252 Great Deals out of 3,857 listings starting at $1,551

Used Cars for Sale

2005 Ford Thunderbird For Sale
4 Great Deals out of 65 listings starting at $8,980
2004 Ford Thunderbird For Sale
7 Great Deals out of 96 listings starting at $4,995
2003 Ford Thunderbird For Sale
8 Great Deals out of 103 listings starting at $5,399
2002 Ford Thunderbird For Sale
21 Great Deals out of 246 listings starting at $6,990

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.