I accidentally removed the cables from the distributor on a 1992 Dodge Colt without marking them. The connections to the spark plugs are unchanged. Could you explain how I can determine the proper order for the distributor cables?

For the 2.5L v6 engine:

Disconnect the negative battery cable. There is a remote negative connection at the left strut tower with an insulator grommet. Place this grommet on the stud to prevent the negative cable from accidentally grounding.
Remove the following: the bolt attaching the air inlet resonator to the intake manifold. Loosen the clamps holding the air cleaner cover to the air cleaner housing. Remove the PCV air hose from the air inlet tube. Loosen the hose clamp at the throttle body.
Remove the air cleaner cover, resonator, and inlet tube. Remove the EGR tube.
Mark for identification and remove the spark plug wires from the distributor cap.
Remove the distributor cap-there are two hold down screws. Mark the rotor position relative to the distributor body. Then remove the rotor.
Unfasten the two electrical connections from the distributor.
Remove the two distributor hold-down nuts and washers. If necessary, remove the spark plug cable mounting bracket.
Remove the transaxle dipstick tube. Then remove the distributor from the engine.
To install: Inspect the distributor's O-ring seal and replace if necessary Carefully engage the distributor drive with the slotted end of the camshaft. Verify rotor alignment with the previously made mark. Reinstall the hold-down nuts and washers and tighten to 9 ft. lbs. Connect everything back in reverse order.

If timing was disturbed while distributor was out: rotate the crankshaft until the #1 piston is at TDC of the compression stroke. Rotate the rotor to the #1 terminal position on the distributor cap. Put the distributor in place, engaging the distributor drive with the drive on the camshaft. With distributor seated, the rotor should be on the #1 terminal. Reinstall the hold-down nuts and washers.

Well, that's all! So much stuff is in the way, it makes it difficult. Post back if you need more help. Good luck.

Start with the ignition coil. It should have power to it with key on. Should be battery voltage on the primary circuit to the coil-that's the coil positive terminal. If the coil is good, it could be a bad ignition module-the module cuts primary current to the coil when commanded by the engine computer.
It could be several things-fouled plugs, bad plug wires, cracked distributor cap, bad rotor, crank sensor or pick up coil (inside the distributor), pcm. Test the ignition coil, or try a known good coil.

if you remove the spark plugs and move the distributor cap so you can see the direction of rotation have someone crank the motor over is short bursts noting direction of rotation of the rotor and put your finger over the #1plug hole.when #1 comes up to top dead center you will feel pressure against it and hear a compression sound.then you can look into the cylinder and turn over the motor by hand and watch the piston rise in the cylinder until its at the top and doesn`t start to move down.this will be close enough.note were the rotor is pointing and this will be were #1 is on the distributor cap.then install the other wires in the direction of the rotor turning in the proper firing order.the order should be 1-3-4-2.

I would start with the rotor and cap. I just worked on one and it was the distributor was bad.

If you need to remove it and rplace it heres how.

Distributor Removal and Installation REMOVAL

1. Remove bolt holding air inlet resonator to intake manifold.
2. Loosen clamps holding air cleaner cover to air cleaner housing.
3. Remove PCV make-up air hose from air inlet tube.
4. Loosen hose clamp at throttle body.
5. Remove air inlet tube, resonator and air cleaner cover.
6. Remove EGR tube.
7. Remove spark plug cables from distributor cap.
8. Loosen distributor cap hold-down screws and remove cap.
9. Mark rotor position for installation reference, then remove rotor.
10. Remove two harness connectors from distributor.
11. Remove two sets of distributor hold-down nuts and washers from studs.
12. Remove bolt and spark plug cable mounting bracket from top of distributor housing.
13. Remove bolt and transaxle dipstick tube.
14. Carefully remove distributor from engine.

INSTALLATION

1. Install rotor on shaft.
2. Position distributor in engine and ensure O-ring is properly seated on distributor. Replace O-ring if it is cracked or nicked.
3. Carefully engage distributor drive with slotted end of camshaft. When the distributor is installed properly, the rotor will be in line with previously marked line on air intake plenum.
4. If engine was cranked while distributor was removed, establish proper relationship between distributor shaft and No. 1 piston position as follows:

1. Rotate crankshaft until number one piston is at top of compression stroke.
2. Rotate rotor to No. 1 rotor terminal.
3. Lower distributor into opening, engaging distributor drive with drive on camshaft. With distributor fully seated on engine, rotor should be under No. 1 terminal.

1. Install distributor hold-down washers and nuts. Torque to 9 ft-lbs .
2. Install spark plug cable bracket.
3. Install two harness connectors to distributor.
4. Install distributor cap.
5. Install transaxle dipstick tube.
6. Install EGR tube to intake manifold. Torque bolts to 8 ft-lbs .

I do not have a breakdown diagram for a distributor, but just the firing orders and description of ignition system for the Dodge Colt and related models (based on Chilton manuals) if that's what you're looking for: FIRING ORDERS Fig. 1: 1990 1.8L SOHC Engines Firing order: 1-3-4-2 Rotation: clockwise

Fig. 2: 1.6L DOHC Engine Firing order: 1-3-4-2 Distributorless Ignition

Fig. 3: 2.0L Engine Firing order: 1-3-4-2 Rotation: clockwise

Fig. 4: 1.5L Engine Firing order: 1-3-4-2 Rotation: counterclockwise

Fig. 5: 1993 1.8L Engine Firing order: 1-3-4-2 Rotation: counterclockwise

Fig. 6: 2.4L Engine Firing order: 1-3-4-2 Rotation: clockwise

To avoid confusion, replace spark plug wires one at a time. --- Distributor REMOVAL & INSTALLATION Although the distributor can be removed from the engine no matter which cylinder is about to fire, it is a good idea to have number one cylinder at TDC before distributor removal. 1.5L, 1.8L, 2.4L SOHC Engines

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Disconnect and tag the spark plug wires from the distributor cap.
3. Disconnect the distributor harness connector.
   Fig. 1: Ignition system for the 2.0L engine
   
   Fig. 2: Ignition system for the 1.5L engine
   
   Fig. 3: Ignition system for the 1992-93 1.8L engine
   
   Fig. 4: Ignition system for the 2.4L engine
   
   
4. Loosen the distributor retaining bolt and remove the distributor from the engine. To install:
   
5. Rotate the engine until No. 1 cylinder is at TDC on its compression stroke. NOTE: Be careful not to turn it to the No. 4 cylinder TDC on its compression stroke by mistake.
   
6. Align the distributor housing and gear mating marks.
   Fig. 5: Ignition system for the 1990 1.8L engine
   
   Fig. 6: Distributor installation for the 1990 1.8L engine
   
   Fig. 7: Distributor installation for the 1992-93 1.8L engine
   
   
7. Install the distributor into the engine, while aligning the fine cut (groove or projection) on the distributor flange with the center of the distributor mounting stud.
8. Install and tighten the distributor retaining bolt.
9. Reconnect the distributor harness connector.
   Fig. 8: Distributor installation for the 2.4L engine
   
   Fig. 9: Distributor installation for the 1.5L engine
   
   Fig. 10: Distributor installation for the 2.0L engine
   
   
10. Install the distributor cap and spark plug wires.
11. Reconnect the negative battery cable.

It is possible that the distributor cap and/or rotor are faulty. They are not very expensive, easy to replace and will allow the engine to run more efficient. This is a way to visually test the coil to make sure it is good. Remove the coil wire at the distributor and place it against the engine block so the spark can find a good ground. Have someone turn over the engine for only a second or two and keep clear of the wire. You will be able to see how powerful the spark is or if it is bad. Please rate me on this answer.

The mechanic should check on the ignition system first . Check the ignition switch, the ignition coil , the spark plug , the spark plug cable , the distributor assembly and the wires and the fuses.Check if there are worn out or destroyed then replace it. And then set the distributor timing mark and the firing order of the spark plug which is 1,3,4,2.These 1,3,4,2 are the number of the spark plug connecting to the distributor assembly.Then try to start the engine .The cause of the engine back fire is ignition timing not in order.

check your grond to the engine block the inj will not work if there is a bad ground

O2 sensor helped me but not enough to pass. Loosen your distributor bolts, one on each side, turn your distributor counter clock wise about 1/4 inch and tighten bolts. This will raise your CO but should reduce the NOX. When the vehicle is passed, undo the changes.

try replacing the coil in the distributor and the ignition module also inside the distributor,allen from california also have a 1992 dodge colt,email me at [email protected]