• 🔍 Like our community? You can tell Google to show you results from this site more often. Just Click Here and click the empty checkbox on the right side of our name.

2007 Buick LaCrosse CXL ICM Keeps Going Out, overheating

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

PowerKegGreg

New member
Joined
Feb 25, 2023
Messages
5
Reaction score
2
Points
3
Buick Ownership
Buick LaCrosse 2007 CXL
My original Ignition Control Module went out like 2 years ago and I've been going through them like crazy. Place I take it to that I trust and got it serviced the first time have replaced it 3 times (thank goodness for warranty) but Ive even on my own got an AC Delco new one and applied silver paste and that one went out quicker even tho I've read people declare that oem brands will last the longest. Anyone have any ideas on how to resolve this? If brand name really does matter then what brand should I go with? I replaced the ignition coils when it first happened but can't remember what brand they are. Curious if it goes out again to try Delphi ICM and coils
 
Has anybody checked your alternator output?
 
Has anybody checked your alternator output?
Yes, everything check out ok. Sorry about the duplicate post. Never showed up on my end until just now. Alternator, Battery, Ignition Coils, Spark Plugs and cables have all been replaced over the allotted time. Unless the coils are not a good brand and cause it heat up more.
 
Last edited:
Weak & outsourced aftermarket coils can kill any brand name of the ICM!
 
Weak & outsourced aftermarket coils can kill any brand name of the ICM!
Only thing I can think off to cause it to get hot. Alternator tested fine. I replaced the coils way back but my shop did spark plus and cables. Luckily the AC Delco module was under warranty so Ill be getting a refund but i was think of get a Delphi Module and coils and when it goes out again just replace both at once.
 
I saw this post and it resonates with me because I had to put in an ICM. It's amazing how they go out unannounced and strand you. I still have the original coils.

Is it throwing any codes? I wonder if any codes are ever "hidden" even if the check engine light is off. Is everything in the wiring nice and tight?

LaCrosse of this gen is funky for lighting, electrical accessories, suspension, and ignition. Thankfully, the powertrains are great.

I've still got an intermittent flat spot when I crank over. I wonder if it's the Standard ICM that went in. Or something else? It's usually when partly warm and being restarted. I was out of town for 3 weeks and it fired up, no problem. It does great on cold starts.

It would probably be good to know how many different systems the ICM "talks to/communicates with" as it does its work. That could be a good place to start.
 
The link below will explain what the ICM "talks to/communicates with" as well as how to test it & the CKPS. It is always a good idea to keep a spare ICM & coils along with necessary tools to replace them in the trunk to keep from being stranded in the event of failure. I picked up a complete set from a low mileage donor @ Pick& Pull about 12-yrs ago for $30-bucks & still have not used it.
 
Thanks for all the replies. Car is running again. The expert mechanic from the shop, he personally looked at my car since he worked on many different years of Buicks (Been a mechanic most of his life, worked on cars in New York, now in Texas where I'm at). Says with my model and year, he's seen them just once electrical issues just happening from age and whatnot, the car can just be picky, good brands or not. Good news is its not an engine issue. The starter was not giving it enough juice to fully turn over to allow them to even get started on seeing whats up with the ICM. Thankfully a lot of my stuff was under warranty since I got work done. He replaced the starter ( which they actually had to go through 2 or 3 swaps of them because each one wasn't giving them problems, he demanded they give him a new starter and not remanufactured and it started right up with the new). From there he re-replaced the ICM (dialectic grease underneath), spark plugs, cables, all under warranty. The other thing he did was that noticed the positive clamp for the positive cable was not holding a good grip on it regardless of how much he tightened it so he replaced it with a new clamp and made sure it had a solid connection. As of now, I drove it today and had no problem so far though still on edge with all the stalling that has happened. I do personally feel it being still a bit different since all this started (acceleration being the main notice. just doesn't accel as quick from what I remember but maybe I'm wrong. Its an old car but I've done a fuel injector service. The time it felt normally is when I used my AC Delco ICM brand but I'm not gonna touch anything. If anything maybe replace MAS and MAP.) So right now everything is working. Thank you all for the reassurance and help!
 
I also wish I had replaced the ICM with a Delco one because the half second pause when cranking is annoying. Someone suggested the ignition switch in the column to me. I hadn't thought about that.

I agree about carrying an extra ICM and coils when this model starts getting a little bit older. We know this is one of its few weak spots.
 
Back
Top