1987 Oldsmobile cutlass ciera 3.8L engine

Ok, my car has had a problem with intermittent stalling and wouldn't run for days on end sometimes weeks until months, until I found the problem, aha FINALLY!
Or so I thought..... The ignition control module wires were loose and one slipped out fully upon inspection (the black one in the pictures below)

been trying to find the connector for the ICM (ignition control module) Connector, and I have had no success, autozone, oreilly's, napa, junkyard..

I ordered a connector from autozone and had no luck and was the only one I could find anywhere (Grey one in pictures below)


black one from my car vs white one from store




Damaged :/



http://www.autozone.com/1/products/3...alast-966.html

Only to find out it doesn't fit, but the original connector (from my car) fits the DR 143 I bought

and have been finding a hard time finding whatever fits the DR143 ICM. What Can I do here? any help will be greatly appreciated.

 

Why not just do away with the connector and solder all the wires. The other option is to buy a completely different style connector and replace both halves.

 

The connector that slipped out looks to be inserted back in the plug upside down. If it is not broken there may be a part of it that can be bent back out and reinserted. Generally there is a tab on the connector that holds it once inserted in the plug. Look at it carefully and you should see how it is locked in the plug. Or, try to remove a connector from the new plug and insert it in the old.
I'm just shooting in the dark here, not familiar with your specific app.

 

If the gray one won't plug in but the connector shell is basically the same. Just grind or file off the offending orientation tabs until it will plug in. Used to have to do this sometimes at the dealership when a new hard shell wasn't available. Just make good note of which is top and bottom of the connector when finished so you don't plug it in upside down. Your call...

 

gs72: I thought about that But wasn't sure if it would work, It sounds like it wouldn't hurt to give it a shot.

Oldcutlass: I don't know how that would necessarily work, solder the wires to pins of the new device or where exactly and how?


m371961:I don't know how you would pull the wires out and put them in the new one, just pull them? and how do I put them back in place for the right connector? I'm assuming there would be a special tool.

My engine is the same as this pic I found below, If someone could tell me what engine that is, It would help me to confirm If I have the correct connector for my car, Or the very least find the correct connector for my car to order, and replace. or maybe give a better idea of what i'm working with... Any help is grateful.

 

In your second photo the fifth pin from the left is upside down, which might be causing you a problem... I would check the continuity of each wire from your cut end to the pin head, that will at least tell you if there is a disconnect from end to end... If the continuity is good, and all the pins are tight in there perspective locations (after re-positioning the one that is upside down), your problem is not with the connector but most likely the control module....

 

So still just been looking for a replacement part, seems the manufacturer for the plugs, had an error at their warehouse where their merchandise was not fitting correctly the DR143 (ignition control module) I bought which matches the one inside my vehicle , like it's supposed to.. just going to wait until Monday for a response if I can get the right connector, If not thinking about shaving down the divots on the actual new connector itself.

Heres an actual picture if it helps anyone

Here Is the picture of the engine if it helps anyone




ICM is top left


Ducktape is only for labeling before I get anyone started lol.

So yeah, start to assume maybe a different engine or year model? Maybe someone could help me figure out if I'm ordering the wrong connector for the vehicle as it is? so far Ive looked for 1987 oldsmobile cutlass cierra 3.8l, Wondering if Engine could be a different year? or if anyone could tell me if any other manufacturer (buick i.e) and what make or model would be interchangeable with this year so I could look in the right direction at a junkyard?

 

Sorry, my suggestion was based on it being an inline harness connector, not something that connects to a sealed component.

 

I would give what m71961 said a shot. Those are Packard Twinlock terminals. They can be removed with a jeweler's screwdriver or even a small paper clip bent to fit in the sides. Push it in from the front and pul the wire out the back.

The offending terminal will just pull out. Turn it upside down and then push it back in. Just make sure the tabs on the sides are sticking out a bit so it can lock in.

If you want/need to replace the whole plug, just remove the terminals one at a time and install them into the new plug in the same configuration.

I attached a couple of pics of the terminal so you can see where the tabs you have to depress are.

 

Mine pull out the front, not the back. AUVECO makes a special tool for them and it's a must have if your working on these years GM car's wiring.

It is very easy to be confused by these terminals and they are very difficult to remove. From my experience the '87 ICM and connector plug are different from the '89 - '91 LN3 engine. I have seen many occasions where the wires are bare right at the bend out of the plug and have had them fail completely there.

If you have the mind to and know a salvage yard the best cure for this is to replace the entire ICM wire harness with a good used one.

Read more with pics here





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Rocketguy, I stand corrected. From the pic he posted they looked very similar. And it also explains the lock tab facing the wrong way on the terminal pics I posted. Maybe depending on the application they can come out either way?

I still believe that with the proper tool, such as those made by Lisle, it could be easily removed from the front. The tool would just be inserted into the back instead of the front.

 

I got in touch with a manufacturer, says they're going to send me one that should fit my vehicle, here is to having my fingers crossed**

Just waiting on the shipment to arrive to me.

If all else fails I think I'll give it a shot and get the tool to remove and replace them, If so... whats the rubber piece inside the connector that holds the wires spaced apart called? Because the rubber I have inside my connector is cracked and would need to be replaced as well.

 

Hoorah! shes running and running good,

now the only problem is I can't get her through emissions....

I put premium, fuel injector cleaner, aired up the tires, gave her an oil change(synthetic) and no luck.

Ran the obd1 codes.. ones for the speedometer (short) which i'm already aware of. and the second one was for electronic spark timing, which makes me think that could be spark plugs are at fault..

I've heard of the seafoam trick, and feedback?

or car could use new cat? (car currently has 95xxx miles) but bear in mind shes been sitting for 4-5 months.