Spark Plug Firing Order

[bmw318tiChic]

I took out my spark plugs and forgot to notice what order they were in, and now I need to know how to put them back. Everywhere says that the firing order is 1-3-4-2, but my problem is that the 3 won't reach to where it is supposedly supposed to be. I checked which pistons were in the same position at the same time, hoping that I could switch a couple of the plugs.

I've got it plugged in right now as 1-4-3-2 (switched 3 and 4) and everything fits perfectly, but I don't know if this is problematic or if my car will run okay this way. So basically I'm asking if these are interchangeable.... Thanks so much

[Bluebimma]

Firing order is NOT interchangeable. I cant think of the order off the top of my head, but you can start the engine and see how it runs. If it runs like crap, switch the ones in question and youll be fine. Never remove or install the wires while the engine is running or you WILL damage the ignition wire and/or shock yourself.

[bmw318tiChic]

Okay, thanks. It's just weird because with the order that it is supposed to be in, one of the wires won't reach to the "right" place. I'll try and figure it out though.

[Mallard]

[bmw318tiChic]

Thanks Mallard, I actually saw that same thing in my book. The problem is, it doesn't fit that way, and I'm just trying to see if there is any accepted alternative way.

[L84THSKY]

Call me crazy, but I remember being confused when I swapped out my wires. My last car didn't have a coil pack, so you had to take the wires off the distributor, and out them in the correct order of the engine.

When I was putting the wires back on the 318ti engine, I was wondering if the coil pack just fires in the correct order and I can just put the wires on in order, 1-2-3-4.

That could never work on a car with a distributor, since it rotates in a circle, and you take them off the distributor and plug them in the 1-3-4-2 order. If that is the case, it could explain why your wires are not reaching.


Am I making any sense?

Originally Posted by bmw318tiChic

Okay, thanks. It's just weird because with the order that it is supposed to be in, one of the wires won't reach to the "right" place. I'll try and figure it out though.

[Mallard]

Bmchick, take a picture, and we´ll get someone to compare with theirs

[95white318ti]

I'm having the same exact problem. The 3 wire is to short. Should I just switch the 3 & 4 wire to make it reach.

[dave45056]

No. The coil pack is number 1,2,3,4 with 1 oriented toward the front of the car IIRC. The DME will fire them in the correct order (1,3,4,2). So you have to put the wire 1 on plug 1. Plug 1 is closest to the radiator.
The wire for plug 4 is longer than the wire for plug 3 because it wraps around plug 3 and comes back. I'll take a picture tonight if this doesn't make sense.