After Changing Plugs and Wires, car won't start...
Ok, I have a '94 Sentra and I was having an issue where it would run rough enough to shake the car at low RPMs in each gear, but smooth out at higher RPMs, so I decided to replace the plugs and wires because it hadn't been done in a while.
But I didn't write down the wire order. I looked it up online and everything says 1342 so I hooked them up as I thought it would be, but now the car won't start. The starter turns over just fine, but it never catches and cranks up, so I want to verify that "1" on the distributor is really 1. If I'm looking at the engine I'm assuming it's 1,2,3,4 from left to right. The "x" is a blanked out peg that looks like the other plug ins
---x---
1--I--2
3-----4
The "I" in the middle is the ignition plug in the center of the distributor.
I have a 97, so yours she be almost the same. If you are standing beside the driver's side fender looking straight at the distributor the #1 tower is at the 6 o'clock position. Then moving counter-clockwise you have 3, 4, 2 then back to #1. As you look straight at the distributor the rotor rotates counter-clockwise.
Hope this helps.
Number one cylinder will be at pulley end of engine. If you rotate the engine to line up the tdc timing mark the rotor will point to number one post on the distributor, the next in rotation will be the next cylinder in the firing order in your case 3 then 4 then 2 and back to one if your info is correct, your owners manual should tell you the correct firing order. It is a good idea to replace plug leads one at a time and not pull them off all at once when fitting a full set.
__________________
Aussie 1986 PULSAR 23 years one owner, still going strong!
Last edited by pulsar86 : Nov 1st, 2009 at 01:35 AM.
Number one cylinder will be at pulley end of engine. If you rotate the engine to line up the tdc timing mark the rotor will point to number one post on the distributor, the next in rotation will be the next cylinder in the firing order in your case 3 then 4 then 2 and back to one if your info is correct, your owners manual should tell you the correct firing order. It is a good idea to replace plug leads one at a time and not pull them off all at once when fitting a full set.
Yeah, I know better. I just wasn't thinking.
Anyway, I'm going to give it another go today. We'll see what happens.
Nope, it still won't start. Now I'm worried I damaged something when I tried to start it in the wrong order.
Any other suggestions?
Did you pull back out the plugs and checked them? Also maybe you knocked something else loose while changing the distributor - like a vacuum line or maybe fuel pump relay connector or any such thing??
Crossing the leads shouldn't have done harm. Have someone crank the car and with a pair of pliers hold the coil lead and earth the end to the block to check the coil has spark, also check inside of distributor cap to make sure the contact button from the coil lead to the rotor hasn't gone missing I have seen it happen.
__________________
Aussie 1986 PULSAR 23 years one owner, still going strong!
Last edited by pulsar86 : Nov 2nd, 2009 at 01:03 AM.
you have a 94 sentra. External ignition coil, are all the wires plugged back in? on the 95-99 the ignition module is internal, so there are only 4 wires connnected to the distributor. There should be 5 wires on your engine. And yes, you might have pulle something out while changing the wires. Check if you have a spark, check if you have fuel.
The AutoGuide.com network consists of the largest network of enthusiast-owned enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
AutoGuide.com provides the latest car reviews, auto show coverage, new car prices, and automotive news. The AutoGuide network operates more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share opinions as a community.
Linear Mode
