There have been many posts on this subject and I’ve read all I could find, but have not been able to solve my problem. I replaced my distributor cap and rotor and now cannot start my car. It is an 87 IROC L98.

I have checked the firing order and wires about 42 times. I have put the original cap and rotor back on without success. I have tested for spark at the number one wire and have spark, but I am not sure it is firing as often as it should.

Obviously I’m overlooking something, but have run out of things to try. Any suggestions?

 

Check wire connectors on back lower distributor, maybe computer is not getting rpm signal?

 

if you have fuel and spark it should fire, maybe try moving the wires on the dist. one post to the left or right?
thats what i'd try anyway.. and for future, only remove one plug wire at a time. may take a little longer but makes it dead simple and just about stupid proof ( i need that some days )

 

Thanks guys I have tried moving one terminal each way, no dice. The connectors on the back of the distributor are secure.

This has to be an incorrect installation problem, or else I have knocked something loose while doing the install. Replacing the original cap and rotor should have corrected the no start if the new parts were faulty. I thought possibly the distributor was installed incorrectly so I bumped the engine til the rotor was pointing were #1 should fire and checked the plug hole for the piston to be TDC. It felt like it was.

One thing I haven’t tried is to have someone crank the engine while I rotate the distributor. I’ll try that tonight.

 

hmm, maybe a long shot but could the rotor be on backwards? (180 from what it should be) i've seen that once before

 

Did you forget the gasket and HEI bushing?

I am not sure but if you have the coil above the Distributer they are sensitive material.....if not than I am not sure at this point....check fuses and connections to your ignition components....also check and make sure your plugs are correct on the distributer AND the plugs.....

REAR

8 7
6 5
4 3
2 1

FRONT

Firing order 1 8 4 3 6 5 7 2

Again this is well known I know but just to stir up ideas....

 

Hello Dude, I know this might be a wild shot here but it has happened in the past. Check to see if you might have connected the wire harness for the MAT to the distributor instead of the wire harness for the ignition coil. They use the same connector.

 

Trickster, you are absolutely correct. I just got done dealing with that same issue. The wires are identicle. I dealt with the issue of no fire from the coil for days until I figured that one out.