C3I Ignition Module Swap for '84/85 Turbo Regals
David A. Arieno
C3I Ignition Module Connector Pin Out for using an '86/87 Module on an '84/85 Turbo Regal
IMPORTANT!!

Study the attached "pin out" chart for '84-'85 C3I connector. Mark the current wires, (using small strips of masking tape), with their description and wire number! (You'll be amazed how much easier it'll be if you do!!!)

  1. Gently pry the weather seals loose from the connector, sliding them down the harness approximately 2". Using a suitable pin removal tool, remove required metri-pack pins, pulling them forward through the connector. (Remember, pins "A", "B", and "C" remain the same, and don't need to be removed.)

  2. I recommend that you purchase 15 or more new metri-pack pins (NAPA # 725189, 25 pins to a pack; also available through GM and Belden)

  3. Remove pins from the wires. (Snip the wires as close to the pins as possible! )Pull the wire back through the connector and weatherseal.)

  4. Arrange the wires as required and push them back through the rubber weather seal.(These hold seven wires each, and actually help hold things in proper order while you are reinstalling the pins).

  5. Starting with pin "D" strip approximately 1/16" off the wire, and pull it through the metri-pack connector.

  6. Carefully crimp the two rear tabs of a new metri-pack pin over the end of the insulation, then lightly solder the pin to the exposed copper wire. Gently crimp the remaining tabs over the solder joint.(Yes, it's a crimp type pin, but solder it anyway! It ensures you have the proper connection)

  7. Gently pull the wire back into the metri-pack connector, ensuring that you have the
    pin positioned properly. This should lock the pin into the connector.

  8. Repeat with remaining pins.

  9. Gently slide the weather seals up the wires toward the connector and push them into the connector. That should do it, clean and neat! I leave up to you to fabricate a suitable adapter mount plate. Start with a 4.5" by 6" piece of 1/16" plate.......
Alternate Method
-VERY IMPORTANT! -MARK ALL WIRES TO THE IGNITION MODULE CONNECTOR WITH TAPE.
Cut the wires on the harness outside metri-pack connector and splice the harness back together with shrink-butt crimp connectors. Soldering and heat shrink would also work.....
BE CAREFUL! The harness wire length doesn't leave you much room for error.
  1. Pin A: This pin remains the same. ("ECM B4 EST", white wire, #423)

  2. Pin B: This pin remains the same. ("ECM D5 BYPASS", tan/black wire, #424)

  3. Pin C: This pin remains the same. ("ECM B5 REF. LOW", purple/white wire, #430)

  4. Pin D: Remove "TACH LEAD" (white wire, #121). Splice in "ECM B-3 REF. LOW", black/red wire, #453. [Previously located at pin F position!]

  5. Pin E: Remove "ECM ALL CAM" (yellow wire, #951). Splice in "TACH LEAD",white wire, #121. [Previously located at pin D position!]

  6. Pin F: Splice in" CRANK SENSOR B", green wire, #918 [Previously located at pin G position!]

  7. Pin G: Splice in "CRANK SENSOR C GRND", black wire, #952. [Previously located in pin H position!]

  8. Pin H: Splice in "CRANK SENSOR A 12V", white/red wire, #916. [Previously located in pin J position!]

  9. Pin J: ( Pin I not used.) Splice in "ECM ALL CAM", yellow wire, #951. [Previously located in pin E position!]

  10. Pin K: Splice in "CAM SENSOR B SIGNAL", blue lt wire, #917. [Previously located at pin L position!]

  11. Pin L: Splice in "CAM SENSOR C GRND", black wire, #952. [Previously located at pin K position!]

  12. Pin M: Remove "CAM SENSOR A 12V", white/red wire, #916. Splice in"IGNITION POWER", pink/black wire, #839. [Previously installed in pin P position!]

  13. Pin N: Remove "IGNITION POWER", pink/black wire, #439. Splice in "CAM SENSOR A 12V", white/red wire, #916. [Previously installed in pin M position!]

  14. Pin P: (Pin O not used.) Splice in "IGNITION POWER", pink/black wire, #439. [Previously located in pin N position!] That should do it! Plug it in, tighten it up, time for an ops check!!!!!!
1984-85 Turbo Regal C3I Ignition Module Connector Pinouts
PIN
WIRE # DESCRIPTION WIRE COLOR
A 423 ECM B4 EST WHITE
B 424 ECM D5 BYPASS TAN/BLACK
C 430 ECM B5 REF. HIGH PURPLE/WHITE
D 121 TACH LEAD WHITE
E 951 ECM ALL CAM YELLOW
F 453 ECM B3 REF. LOW BLACK/RED
G 918 CRANK SENSOR B SIGNAL GREEN
H 952 CRANK SENSOR C GRND BLACK
J 916 CRANK SENSOR A 12V WHITE/RED
K 952 CAM SENSOR C GRND BLACK
L 917 CAM SENSOR B SIGNAL BLUE LT
M 916 CAM SENSOR A 12V WHITE/RED
N 439 IGNITION POWER PINK/BLACK
P 839 IGNITION POWER PINK/BLACK
1986-87 Turbo Regal C3I Ignition Module Connector Pinouts
PIN WIRE # DESCRIPTION WIRE COLOR
A 423 ECM B4 EST WHITE
B 424 ECM D5 BYPASS TAN/BLACK
C 430 ECM B5 REF. HIGH PURPLE/WHITE
D 453 ECM B3 REF. LOW BLACK/RED
E 121 TACH LEAD WHITE
F 643 CRANK SENSOR B SIGNAL BLUE/WHITE
G 642 CRANK SENSOR C GRND BLACK
H 641 CRANK SENSOR A 10V+ BLACK/LT GREEN
J 630 ECM ALL CAM BLACK
K 633 CAM SENSOR B SIGNAL BROWN/WHITE
L 632 CAM SENSOR C GRND BLACK/PINK
M 639 IGNITION POWER PINK/BLACK
N 631 CAM SENSOR A 10V+ YELLOW
P 439 IGNITION POWER PINK/BLACK
TURBO REGAL C3I IGNITION MODULE CONNECTOR PIN OUTS (CONTINUED)
HYBRID '84-'85 HARNESS CONNECTOR
USING '86-'87 IGNITION MODULE

PIN WIRE # DESCRIPTION WIRE COLOR
A 423 ECM B4 EST WHITE
B 424 ECM D5 BYPASS TAN/BLACK
C 430 ECM B5 REF. HIGH PURPLE/WHITE
D 453 ECM B3 REF. LOW BLACK/RED
E 121 TACH LEAD WHITE
F 918 CRANK SENSOR B SIGNAL GREEN
G 952 CRANK SENSOR C GRND BLACK
H 916 CRANK SENSOR A 12V WHITE/RED
J 951 ECM ALL CAM YELLOW
K 917 CAM SENSOR B SIGNAL LT BLUE
L 952 CAM SENSOR C GRND BLACK
M 839 IGNITION POWER PINK/BLACK
N 916 CAM SENSOR A 12V WHITE/RED
P 439 IGNITION POWER PINK/BLACK


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