I did that once to my Beetle.  I crossed the plug wires and for the life of
me I couldn't figure it out.  I thought I looked at the cylinder numbers in
the book correctly but...  two hours later I got it right.  DOH!

Chris.

----- Original Message -----
From: sg <sg@SUNSETWINONA.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, January 10, 2001 7:59 PM
Subject: how did this happen ... ?

> hello list,
>
> today i undertook a tuneup to my 85 vanagon westfalia.  it consisted in
> trying to install a new distributor cap, new rotor, and new spark
> plugs.  i got the kit from the bus depot.  in theory, it should have
> been so simple ... ;)  i mean, i have experience doing engine work,
> although not on my westy yet, ive only had it a couple of months.
> mostly my experience is with motorcycles, in the form of brake jobs,
> carb rebuilds, general maintainence.
>
> heres how it went:
>
> i bought this tune up kit from the
> bus depot which includes a distributor cap, rotor, and 4 spark plugs.  i
>
> just now tried to install. i figured it would be a fairly straight
> forward job.  well, i took off the wire from the ignition coil to the
> dist cap, and the four wires from the distributor cap to the spark
> plugs.   i inspected them, etc, measured resistence, they seem fine.  so
>
> then i took off the distributor cap, and also the rotor (small piece
> that turns around and around under the distr cap).  i put the new rotor
> on, and then the new distr cap.  then, when i was about to reconnect all
>
> the electrical leads, i noticed that they didnt fit the connectors on
> the new cap.  looking around in the manual, i discover that my cap has
> old style connectors, whereas the replacement has new style, but my
> wires are old style as well.  so i cant use the new parts until i get
> new wires, i guess.  anyhow, so i replace the old rotor and distributor
> cap.  then i take a look at the plugs.  oops, i dont have the right size
>
> spark plug adaptor for my socket wrench.  hmm. guess i have to get the
> right one before i can put the new plugs in.  so now i hook everything
> back up, keeping in mind that its all still the original stuff.  i wasnt
>
> able to replace anything.  and then i have this thought, like i wonder
> if there is a special order or way the distributor cap should be put on,
>
> and if i have the right leads going to the right plugs.  well, its not
> that complicated, and i looked at it, and it all seems to be going where
>
> it should, ie the connector on the distributor cap ive connected to the
> spark plug that seems to correspond positionally closest to it.  well,
> lo and behold, i go to start it and nothing.  the engine turns over but
> doesnt catch.  so ... huh.  well, i go back and take off the distr cap
> and the rotor and all the leads, look at everything really closely, and
> put it all back together again, and same thing, wont start.  so i do
> this again, really scurtinizing all the parts, but really its not that
> complicated, so i put it back together, and thats where i am.  ive tried
>
> to start it, it kind of wheezes, and tries to catch once or twice, but
> then just doesnt.  and my battery is starting to wear down.
>
> any ideas where i went wrong?
>
> steve