I have set the timing on my 96 honda accord F22- All the marks are lined up on the timing and the interference belt. It runs great if I switch the plug wires from 1-4 2-3. If I connect the wires the correct way on the cap then it will not start. When it runs the oil pump is working and the engine sounds great. Why is it running this way and can it harm the engine ?

 

maybe what you think is wrong is really correct and what you think is correct is really wrong? it's just a thought since I'm not clear on how you have the wires connected.

Could you be more specific on how you have the wires connected at the spark plugs and how you have them connected at the distributor cap? Maybe a picture would be easier?

 

See what direction your distributor rotor is facing. It could be you need to reverse the rotor.

 

Looking at the cap from the passenger side of the car, one plug wire down clockwise from the line thing on the cap, it's 1-3-4-2 in that order.

 

Is this picture correct. I have checked the timing marks and everything is good.


http://autorepair.about.com/library/a/1f/bl269f.htm

 

Agreed. A picture of your car wiring could solved this for sure. However, see the attached picture for how the distributor cap wiring looks like for F22B1 and non-F22B1. Note the difference in the shape of the cap and the No. 1 cylinder mark on the cap.