1-3-4-2 Is Teh Suck

**SixSick6** · 4-25-04, 23:04

Allright I have a problem. I bought new plug wires today, and lost track of the order that they go in

My old wires were NGK, and although they were numbered, I still managed to lose track of what goes where

So here is my question: the firing order is 1-3-4-2. I know that cylinder 1 is the one furthest left (timing belt) but the manual says nothing about the order in the disty.

My problem isnt so much with the cylinders, but with the distributor cap.

Don't ask why I didnt do them in order, I did....one at a time. But when I went to start the car....it wouldnt start.

I switched back to my numbered NGK's to see if the cheapy non numbered Autolites might be the culprit (maybe the leads werent making good contact?)

So I got it right and the car started. I figured I'd try the Autolites again, and maybe I had them in wrong order with the distributor cap? So I took them all off, all togther.....Awe Sh1T...why did I do THAT?

So, the only thing that I remember is spot 1 on the distributor cap.

Here is a crappy picture that will be worth $1,000,00 someday. I need someone to tell me which numbers come next going clockwise?:

**Mazda_Speedstar** · 4-25-04, 23:11

i'll find out for you tomorrow morning.. its cold up here in Kanada

**gavin** · 4-25-04, 23:17

Looking at the engine, left to right is 1-2-3-4.

For the distributor, as per your illustration, going clockwise: 1-2-4-3

Gavin

**Thumper** · 4-25-04, 23:21

I show in order of 1-2-4-3 from the point marked with the (1) clockwise. At least that is how mine are connected. Start at the front of the engine ( the side with the alternator and other accessories on it) that is piston #1, it goes from there to piston #4 by the transmission.

**Thumper** · 4-25-04, 23:22

I went to look at the car, Gavin got there before I did anyhow.=)

**SixSick6** · 4-25-04, 23:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by gavin

Looking at the engine, left to right is 1-2-3-4.
Gavin

Thats what I THOUGHT, but the 1-3-4-2 firing order had me confused

Quote:

Originally Posted by gavin

For the distributor, as per your illustration, going clockwise: 1-2-4-3 Gavin

so, I DO have spot 1 correct right?

what a PITA to make the mistake of taking all off at once, especially when it gets dark 15 minutes later

I've had some "issues" with my car since last week (oils seals leaking very badly...so I havent driven it untill I can get them fixed) might as well do a tune-up while it's sitting idle.

I started it up (before changing the wires) and drove it around the block since it hasnt been driven. I let it idle for a few minutes before shutting it off. My main concern with the oils seals leaking, was that I managed to leak almost all of the oil on the way home from work. I thought I'd ruined the bottem end, but after adding oil and letting the HLA's do their duty, apparently paranoia was most of my problem....and a loud leaking exhaust making it sound like it was coming from the bottom end....mated with poly'ed mounts making the car shake....feeling like it was on it's last breath

Anyways, not that THAT is said, I thought that maybe my previous concerns had finally came to a head when I shut the car off.

I didnt start the car before I changed the wires, so when I went to start it and it wouldnt start....I thought....The motor IS f#%ked...untill I realized I had the wires all out of wack

thanx Gavin

**gavin** · 4-26-04, 0:55

The position for the #1 lead in your diagram is correct.

Its the little things that will get you in the end. Its almost a universal constant. Youll figure out whats going on with your car soon enough.

Gavin

SleepCounter · 4-26-04, 1:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by gavin

For the distributor, as per your illustration, going clockwise: 1-2-4-3

or if you go counterclockwise (the direction the engine turns, if your are looking at the flywheel end) it's 1-3-4-2.

Just like the firing order!

**SixSick6** · 4-26-04, 12:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by SleepCounter

or if you go counterclockwise (the direction the engine turns, if your are looking at the flywheel end) it's 1-3-4-2.
Just like the firing order!

Sweet, I never realized that. Now I'll never forget it

**Mr.JasonBH** · 4-26-04, 13:30

1,2,4,3 on my car.

**SixSick6** · 4-26-04, 13:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr.JasonBH

1,2,4,3 on my car.

clockwise you mean

**mx6sst** · 4-26-04, 13:39

Sixsick6, What would you do if you had a V-8? Pretty scary!!
Buy a factory manual. You can't live without it.

**SixSick6** · 4-26-04, 14:38

I have one, it doesnt say anything about which caps are which on the disty

**mx6sst** · 4-27-04, 13:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by SixSick6

I have one, it doesnt say anything about which caps are which on the disty

Well I'll be tied to the back of a tractor and drug like a plow!

Your right there is no mention of the plug wire arrangement in the manual.

For future reference. If you have forgotten which post on the distributor cap is for the number one cylinder all you have to do is rotate the engine so the timing mark on the crank pully lines up with the 0 degree mark on the timing tab. In this poition take off the distributor cap and see where the rotor is pointing. It will either point to the #1 or the #4 post. Make your best guess and connect the wires in the propper order (1-3-4-2) in most cases. If the engine starts right up and runs good then you got it right. If it won't start, and backfires into the intake then you got it wrong and need to switch the #1 with #4 and #3 with #2. If it runs, but bad in either case, then your going the wrong way around the distributor. Just remeber the #1 wire is always opposite the #4 wire and the #3 wire is always opposite the #2 wire.

**SixSick6** · 4-27-04, 13:13

I had 3 and 2 reveresed the first time which is why it wouldnt start with the new wires. I took them off and put my numbered NGK's back on and though, wait a minute, the length is wrong. But when I took them off again, I didnt check the order of the disty

I think most people would be able to search and find this post should they need to

4-25-04, 23:04	#1 (permalink)
SixSick6 Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: San Diego, CA, USA Age: 32 iTrader: (2)	1-3-4-2 Is Teh Suck Allright I have a problem. I bought new plug wires today, and lost track of the order that they go in My old wires were NGK, and although they were numbered, I still managed to lose track of what goes where So here is my question: the firing order is 1-3-4-2. I know that cylinder 1 is the one furthest left (timing belt) but the manual says nothing about the order in the disty. My problem isnt so much with the cylinders, but with the distributor cap. Don't ask why I didnt do them in order, I did....one at a time. But when I went to start the car....it wouldnt start. I switched back to my numbered NGK's to see if the cheapy non numbered Autolites might be the culprit (maybe the leads werent making good contact?) So I got it right and the car started. I figured I'd try the Autolites again, and maybe I had them in wrong order with the distributor cap? So I took them all off, all togther.....Awe Sh1T...why did I do THAT? So, the only thing that I remember is spot 1 on the distributor cap. Here is a crappy picture that will be worth $1,000,00 someday. I need someone to tell me which numbers come next going clockwise?: Last edited by SixSick6 : 4-27-05 at 22:26.

4-25-04, 23:11	#2 (permalink)
Mazda_Speedstar Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Toronto Age: 25 iTrader: (0)	i'll find out for you tomorrow morning.. its cold up here in Kanada
	RIP 1994 MX6 RIP 1988 MX6 GT 1991 626 GT With more lbs of Boost than a Hefty Newborn

4-25-04, 23:21	#4 (permalink)
Thumper Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Boise, ID, USA Age: 33 iTrader: (0)	I show in order of 1-2-4-3 from the point marked with the (1) clockwise. At least that is how mine are connected. Start at the front of the engine ( the side with the alternator and other accessories on it) that is piston #1, it goes from there to piston #4 by the transmission.
	Home of the eternal mx-6 project. T-28bb, crower cam, blasterII, Cone filter, .050 overbore rebuild, pace setter short shifter, PG LSD. 3" full exhaust.

4-25-04, 23:22	#5 (permalink)
Thumper Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Boise, ID, USA Age: 33 iTrader: (0)	I went to look at the car, Gavin got there before I did anyhow.=)
	Home of the eternal mx-6 project. T-28bb, crower cam, blasterII, Cone filter, .050 overbore rebuild, pace setter short shifter, PG LSD. 3" full exhaust.

4-26-04, 13:39	#12 (permalink)
mx6sst Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: DeKalb, IL, USA iTrader: (0)	Sixsick6, What would you do if you had a V-8? Pretty scary!! Buy a factory manual. You can't live without it.
	Speed Fish

4-25-04, 23:17	#3 (permalink)
gavin Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: santa cruz.ca iTrader: (1)	Looking at the engine, left to right is 1-2-3-4. For the distributor, as per your illustration, going clockwise: 1-2-4-3 Gavin

4-26-04, 0:55	#7 (permalink)
gavin Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: santa cruz.ca iTrader: (1)	The position for the #1 lead in your diagram is correct. Its the little things that will get you in the end. Its almost a universal constant. Youll figure out whats going on with your car soon enough. Gavin

4-26-04, 13:30	#10 (permalink)
Mr.JasonBH Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Vancouver, Canada Age: 25 iTrader: (0)	1,2,4,3 on my car.

4-26-04, 14:38	#13 (permalink)
SixSick6 Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: San Diego, CA, USA Age: 32 iTrader: (2)	I have one, it doesnt say anything about which caps are which on the disty

4-27-04, 13:13	#15 (permalink)
SixSick6 Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: San Diego, CA, USA Age: 32 iTrader: (2)	I had 3 and 2 reveresed the first time which is why it wouldnt start with the new wires. I took them off and put my numbered NGK's back on and though, wait a minute, the length is wrong. But when I took them off again, I didnt check the order of the disty I think most people would be able to search and find this post should they need to