Have a 1989 GMC suburban , ignition control module keeps going out

[mathayus]

Have a 1989 GMC suburban , 350.
died, wouldnt start again. was told it was the  ignition control module.
replaced. last about 6 weeks died again.
replaced with a mech test ICM so i could hunt. it lasted 2 days, died again.
This time they replace the distributor, coil, ICM.
very next day it cuts out twice but doesnt die. the check engine light comes on twice, goes out.
WHAT could be causing this 
 

[Jsdirt]

Welcome to 21st century parts quality control. Us techs run into this more often than not these days with both hard, and electronic parts. With electronics, sometimes it takes 6 "new" parts before you finally get one that lasts more than a few days. It happens. Also, make sure all the wiring to the ICM is good - not frayed, rubbed through, chewed by mice, etc..

 

GM NOS parts would be the best course of action. Next would be good used. After that, stick with reputable brands - Delco, Denso, NTK/NGK, Bosch, etc..

[elcamino]

If they are not using OEM parts then that's problem.   Friend owns a big repair shop and he will not use anything buy OEM ignition parts. Says, way to many come backs and never a problem using the OEM parts.  Anyone who does not want to pay the price for oem parts, he will not touch the vehicle. Cheap parts cost him big with come backs and pissed off customers.

Edited November 14, 2022 by elcamino

[mathayus]

YA, the 3rd is AC delco. supposed to be OEM?

also the code reader trick ( jumper between the last 2 upper RT pins doesnt work.

Or its not holding a code. check Engine light came on AFTER the last replacement and i couldn't get it 

read. It went out on its own.

 

[mathayus]

Also the Distributor has 2 plugs with 2 wires each. red and white.

1 plug the white wire is short and has a like a spade plug. doesnt goto anything.

Mech said it was for a Tach?

[Jsdirt]

42 minutes ago, elcamino said:

If they are not using OEM parts then that's problem.   Friend owns a big repair shop and he will not use anything buy OEM ignition parts. Says, way to many come backs and never a problem using the OEM parts.  Anyone who does not want to pay the price for oem parts, he will not touch the vehicle. Cheap parts cost him big with come backs and pissed off customers.

Problem with older vehicles is, OEM is difficult, if not impossible to find since they've been long out of production.

[Jsdirt]

35 minutes ago, mathayus said:

Also the Distributor has 2 plugs with 2 wires each. red and white.

1 plug the white wire is short and has a like a spade plug. doesnt goto anything.

Mech said it was for a Tach?

One wire from any coil is usually for a tachometer. Normally the switched (grounded) side of the power (the side that makes spark by collapsing the magnetic field through the coil windings) supply. This has an ICU, so it's different than a points setup obviously, but the same principle applies.