Paging Joe1320 or Fred....Can I pick your brain one more time?

[TODD 2000 V6 CAMARO]

How hard would it be to install the ignition control module in my car? It is just under the coil packs right on top of the engine, right? I just don't want to pay the dealer to do it if I don't have to. Especially after they quoted me twice the cost of the part that I could get it for from another shop here in town. Can you tell me how I would go about getting the old one out and the new one in? Is it just a matter of pulling the old one off and slapping the new one in place, or is it more involved? thanks for any help/input.

[N20LT4Bird]

Im not Joe, or Fred, but I answered this in your other post too (before i saw this one)........its real easy. Unbolt the coil packs and pull them off the module. You can even leave the wires still attached. Unbolt the module from the backing, unplug it and replace! Piece of cake.....literally a 15 minute job. The only tools you will need it a ratchet and socket.

[Injuneer]

I think its going to VERY straight forward. In all honesty, I have never looked carefully under the hood of a V6. But I do have a shop manual for the V6, and I will take a look at it when I get home from work.

You might want to think about picking up a shop manual. I don't think you need the Helm factory manual (not at $120 or whatever they cost). I would recommend you pick up a Chilton's. I like them better than Haynes. After skinning my knuckles for 40 years on assorted cars and trucks, I still make a quick review of the manual my first step before I do anything. For less than $20 (try Amazon) the Chilton's answers about 90% of your questions.

[Christopherrr]

easy greasy job...okay, maybe not greasy, but it's easy. I've help change my friends Monte with a 3.8...I assume it just as easy. I've seen the coil packs on a 3.8 f-body, it's on the driverside...next to the intake manifold. two screws and they should come right out. like N20LT4Bird said...15 minute job tops, but I assume how tight it is under the windshield, you might get a few cuts/scraps in the process.

There's 3 of them and they should cost no more than 35 bucks each (advance auto). At least that's how much we paid for his. He upgraded to MSD blaster coils later on...

MSD coil packs

[TODD 2000 V6 CAMARO]

Cool, thanks guys! You may have just saved me some $$$. I will probably just pick up the part tomorrow and tell the dealer I am doing it myself and just pay them for the labor so far and take it home. Definitely better than paying them $60/HR to do it, and probably get charged 2 hours worth for it.
I was actually just thinking about looking to see if there was a Chilton's manual out for my car yet. I think I might order that and a scanner at the same time. I'm tired of being helpless when my car takes a dump. Thanks for all the help guys. I'll let you know how I make out.

[Joe 1320]

Well... it looks like the guys have it covered.

[Injuneer]

Chilton's shows the 3.8 V6 as very straight forward. Key off, pull battery cable. Label plug wires and any other connections before you unplug them, remove the 2 nuts and 1 screw that hold the module to the brackets over the driver's side valve cover. Reverse steps to replace. Finished.

[Performin Norman]

I think between Joe and Fred, they sum to about 90% of the knowledge on this board. Props to you guys.

[Injuneer]

I think between Joe and Fred, they sum to about 90% of the knowledge on this board. Props to you guys.

Yehhhh..... but you have all the cars.....

[N20LT4Bird]

I think between Joe and Fred, they sum to about 90% of the knowledge on this board. Props to you guys.

Yea, these guys know their stuff ...helped me out more than once! I would also have to include FastTA, Robshoebox, and a bunch of other guys as well.....theres definately some f-body knowledge on this board.

[TODD 2000 V6 CAMARO]

Chilton's shows the 3.8 V6 as very straight forward. Key off, pull battery cable. Label plug wires and any other connections before you unplug them, remove the 2 nuts and 1 screw that hold the module to the brackets over the driver's side valve cover. Reverse steps to replace. Finished.

One more question....if I pull the battery cable, then I will need the code for my stereo, won't I? Anyone know where I can get that? I don't want to be without my tunes! I picked the car up from the dealer after work...that little diagnosis cost me $250. Stupid freakin rip off artists. Anyway, I got it home and took the STB off so that I can get to the module tomorrow. Then I labeled all the wires. I am going to need to buy a socket to fit the little bolts holding the coil packs down cause my set doesn't have one that small (I'll also need a new wsher for my STB since I dropped one and it disappeared ). It looks like a 1/8"? Anyway, I will pick up the new module during my lunch break tomorrow and try to put it on after work. If anyone knows where I get my code for my stereo, then I will be all set to get to work on it. Thanks again for the help, guys.

[Z Ya Later]

One more question....if I pull the battery cable, then I will need the code for my stereo, won't I? Anyone know where I can get that? I don't want to be without my tunes! I picked the car up from the dealer after work...that little diagnosis cost me $250. Stupid freakin rip off artists. Anyway, I got it home and took the STB off so that I can get to the module tomorrow. Then I labeled all the wires. I am going to need to buy a socket to fit the little bolts holding the coil packs down cause my set doesn't have one that small (I'll also need a new wsher for my STB since I dropped one and it disappeared ). It looks like a 1/8"? Anyway, I will pick up the new module during my lunch break tomorrow and try to put it on after work. If anyone knows where I get my code for my stereo, then I will be all set to get to work on it. Thanks again for the help, guys.

Ummmm, you should be able to get it from the dealer at no charge. Not sure if there are any other sources

[Injuneer]

Do you know if anyone ever set a code for the stereo? If it wasn't programmed with a code, you can access it with the default code shown in the owner's manual. That would be how you had to set it up intially. The Theft-Lok feature is only activated it someone took the time to activate it. Check your owner's manual, and it will tell you how to set it up.

If it has been set up, and you don't know it, the dealer can "get" the code by calling a special phone number with some data from your head unit, but I seriously doubt they will do it for free.

About a month or so ago, there was a thread on the "General F-Body Tech" board at CZ28.com that explained how to get the master unlock code for your specific unit yourself, including the phone number to call, a dealer code to use, and what number you needed off the display of your head unit and how to get it.

[Joe 1320]

I posted this some time ago....

http://www.f-body.com/forum/showthre...Theftloc+codes

[N20LT4Bird]

I would just not bother unplugging the battery......just make sure the key isnt on. Ive never had a problem replacing a module with the battery hooked up......ive replaced a few modules on many different vehicles before.