Buick LeSabre Crank no Start - Repaired

[@anthonyhfe6450]

My apologies for not showing the actual installation part of the ICM (Ignition Control Module) in this video. It's rather self explanatory, and couldn't be easier (thnx GM), but I did include many photos at the end of the vid which show a lot of disassembly, cleaning, and reassembly details. But what's more important is what I learned in my troubleshooting travels and the how I arrived to this point only $200.00 total later. Crank, no start condition. Odds are it's the crankshaft position sensor or the ICM. Either of these not functioning can cause ur engine to die while driving. Or just not start. I changed the crankshaft sensor first and car still didn't start. Then I made sure the ICM was receiving 12V on the pink and black wire after unplugging the connector. So my ICM was receiving 12 volts, but still no spark. Well, when I got to this point it was either the ICM or the PCM. So then I changed the ICM, and as you can see in the video, she came back to life !!

[@kevhauser8058]

I ordered an ICM..My 3800 shuts off randomly on the road. I cleaned the grounds very well. I used DeOxit with Copper particles, I am trying to avoid the pain of changing out the Crank Sensor especially with 30 degree temps. VERY GOOD point about not testing a new ICM! Cheers

[@anthonyhfe6450]

@@kevhauser8058 Hi Kev, I hope it is your ICM and not your crankshaft sensor, given the cold weather. That's scary and dangerous if a car is just shutting down like that. Make sure to disconnect your battery first or you may fry other components - not good. In hindsight, I should have replaced the ICM first, but I'm not upset that I did the Crankshaft Position Sensor first, as it was probably 21 years old. Cheers and good 👍 luck.

[@kevhauser8058]

@@anthonyhfe6450 Good Tip on disconnecting the battery...Many times I have worked on electronics hot...110v too

[@kevhauser8058]

Thaks and hope you have a blessed holiday season.

[@anthonyhfe6450]

@@kevhauser8058 You too Kevhauser8058. Thnx!

[@motormaker]

Great video. Very thorough ,thanks for posting. I’m reading that there is thermal paste applied under this module for heat transfer. Perhaps the gunk under the icm was thermal paste 20 years ago , it probably dried out and deteriorated over time. The LeSabre is a great commuter car with a few minor quirks. But far fewer problems than many other cars especially newer ones.

[@anthonyhfe6450]

Thank you for your comment. Good point about thermal paste. I'm really not sure if it was utilized at the factory. In the instructions of the new ICM, there was nothing stating that thermal paste should be used, nor was it included in the box with the ICM. But I'm really not sure. I wonder if the ICM dissipates a lot of heat or not. Hey 3800 experts? Any thermal paste used under the ICM?? Yes, they (LeSabres) have a few quirks. My car has very low mileage, but even so, I'll be replacing the upper plenum and its gasket, the lower intake manifold and its gasket set (with metal Felpro ones), coolant elbows too. I'm leaking a little oil and coolant externally. I did the gasket job last year on a 2000 Park Avenue. I made a video on that job too. Oh, I just developed a power steering fluid leak, so I'll address that when I do the gaskets. Cheers and thank you for your feedback!