put the wrong spark plug wire in the wrong socket; need help

[atlanticl]

Hi guys,

I just changed my spark plugs. Unfortunately, I put back the spark plug wires in the wrong sockets and thus screwing up the spark timing. My car does not start now.

I asked my mechanic how I can find out which wire will go for which plug, and he told me to look in the very end where the plugs are connected. But connection is like tucked in at the bottom. Is there a better way I can find out which wire will go where; instead of me taking out all the radiator hoses, and any thing else for me to creep down there and find out?

I was thinking of just doing it via trial and error. Can anyone suggest me a better way?

[atlanticl]

p.s: it's a 91 Cavalier

[noshun]

Originally Posted by atlanticl

p.s: it's a 91 Cavalier

You should only replace one at a time!

[hopeless4life]

Yeah u pretty much screwed yourself but if you look at the length of the plug wires u should be able to get a guesstimate of where they go

[atlanticl]

Originally Posted by noshun

You should only replace one at a time!

A lesson which I learned a very hard way!

[atlanticl]

Originally Posted by hopeless4life

Yeah u pretty much screwed yourself but if you look at the length of the plug wires u should be able to get a guesstimate of where they go

There's on which is about a meter long and has a very thick spark plug connection. I'm pretty sure that's number one. The rest are 7mm's. That's where all the confusion is. I did try putting them according the lengths in rough estimate, but still having the same ol' problem: no crank, just a clicking sound when i turn the key.

[noshun]

Originally Posted by atlanticl

There's on which is about a meter long and has a very thick spark plug connection. I'm pretty sure that's number one. The rest are 7mm's. That's where all the confusion is. I did try putting them according the lengths in rough estimate, but still having the same ol' problem: no crank, just a clicking sound when i turn the key.

The clicking isn't due to the spark leads! That means that the Starter isn't getting enough power!

With the leads, the coil unit should have numbers on it corresponding to the cylinders. Yoiu didn't state whether you had a inline4 or V6.

on a four the #1 cylinder is the one to the left as you look at the motor from the front of the car on a 6 is the left still but on the bank at the back! 1 3 5
2 4 6 - that's the cylinder position for the v6.

OK. if you have the 2.2 OHV which i'm swaying towards for some reason, call it divine intervention.

if you look at the 2 coil packs the one on the left is for cylinders 1 and 4. 4 on the left connection 1 on the right. and the right coil pack, 3 on the left 2 on the right. I hope you understand that.

I did a diag of how it should go I hope it's clear!

[atlanticl]

Originally Posted by noshun

The clicking isn't due to the spark leads! That means that the Starter isn't getting enough power!

With the leads, the coil unit should have numbers on it corresponding to the cylinders. Yoiu didn't state whether you had a inline4 or V6.

on a four the #1 cylinder is the one to the left as you look at the motor from the front of the car on a 6 is the left still but on the bank at the back! 1 3 5
2 4 6 - that's the cylinder position for the v6.

OK. if you have the 2.2 OHV which i'm swaying towards for some reason, call it divine intervention.

if you look at the 2 coil packs the one on the left is for cylinders 1 and 4. 4 on the left connection 1 on the right. and the right coil pack, 3 on the left 2 on the right. I hope you understand that.

I did a diag of how it should go I hope it's clear!

Hey noshun,

Thanks ALOT man for your diagram. My car is an inline 4 cylinder engine, and perhaps a 2.2 OHV. I know the rest of the ignition is ok, because it was all fine before I changed the plugs. Only after I replaced them, my car stopped starter after one crank and a sound like a gun going off.

[noshun]

Originally Posted by atlanticl

Hey noshun,

Thanks ALOT man for your diagram. My car is an inline 4 cylinder engine, and perhaps a 2.2 OHV. I know the rest of the ignition is ok, because it was all fine before I changed the plugs. Only after I replaced them, my car stopped starter after one crank and a sound like a gun going off.

The bang is probably just fuel from when the plugs lead were wrong or something. Is she running now?