My GTA is not getting spark to 3 plugs...distributor cap and lines are new. Any ideas on what else to check? Thanks.

check the coil! unplug the cable from the distributor cap to see if it delivers fire. just an idea for you. best luck to you

If you look at the distributor cap from the wires side carefully, you would find either a line mark on one of the outer side of four holes (where the spark plug wires are inserted) or the numbers printed on the top of distributor cap (1,3,4,2). Fix one end of the longest high tension plug wire into number 1 hole or the one marked with a line mark on the distributor cap and the other end on spark plug number 1 (the number 1 plug is toward the pulleys and the belts side, then No 2, No 3 and No 4). While standing in front of right wheel you will see the distributor cap in front of you. The rotor moves clock wise. After you fix the 1st cord, next comes number 3 plug wire. Insert one end of the cord into the next to 1 on the right hand side and press the other side of the cord on spark plug number 3. Next to 3 is the cord number 4 and the last one is number 2.

This diagram is for 1998-1995 Chevy 6 cylinder 4.3L engines.
Your got the firing order exactly correct, at 1-6-5-4-3-2, but here's the thing to double-check:
The distributor rotation is clockwise (note badly rendered arrow in picture).





Since you probably got everything right, then you're left with really unusual/rare causes of
failure of the ignition system:
(a) rotor button misaligned/failing to make contact?
(b) rotor button not pressed onto distributor shaft far enough therefore failing to provide correct
proximity to distributor cap contacts when coil fires
(c) coil wire or contact loose/disconnected - press coil wire firmly down into distributor cap.
(d) distributor shaft of other damage caused during installation of rotor.
(e) spark plug wires defective from factory
(f) spark plugs defective from factory
(g) battery low - may need a charge to start
(h) ICM (ignition control module) failure - hook up your HEI (high energy ignition) tester, and
watch the quality of the spark on each cylinder.
(i) fuel problem? If spark is being properly delivered, its gotta be a fuel problem...
(j) distributor cap not screwed down flush to top of distributor? maybe just on one side?

Inspect the inside of the distributor cap - if there are lots of little metal bits all over the inside
of the distributor cap, then you know you have a misalignment of some type in there, and the
rotor and cap are destroying each other. normal operation will throw a quota of spark-ed off
metal bits inside the distributor cap, but since your cap is brand new, your attempts to start
the engine should have rotated the distributor so few times, you should see no metal debris.

Inspect the distributor cap contacts to see if any spark marks are more of less in the middle
of the cap's proper "contact zone". If not, you've diagnosed an internal misalignment, which
you know how to correct.

Make sure ignition wires are not cracked - try a new set of plug wires and make sure you have proper gap at the plugs

GET A PIECE PAPER DRAW A LARGE CIRCLE TOP UPPER HALF CIRCLE LEFT TO RIGHT WRITE NUMBERS 1 AND 3 BOTTOM HALF CIRCLE LEFT TO RIGHT RIGHT NUMBERS 2 AND 4 THAT YOUR DISTRIBUTOR SPARK PLUGS WIRES LOCATION.STANDING ON SIDE OF ENGINE WHERE DISTRIBUTOR IS LOOKING DOWN AT DISTRIBUTOR 1 AND 3 FIRST TWO SPARK PLUGS TERMINALS NEXT TO ENGINE. AND 2 AND 4 SPARK PLUGS TERMINAL ON CAP FACING YOU. THIS IS CYLINDERS LOCATIONS STANDING IN FRONT OF ENGINE.RUN WIRES FROM DISTRIBUTOR CAP TO PLUGS TO THE ENGINE SPARK PLUGS.

CHECK FOR SPARK AT SPARK PLUGS.IF NO YOUR DISTRIBUTOR CAP + ROTOR OR COIL COULD BE BAD.MAKE SURE COIL GETTING POWER COULD BE BLOWED IGNITION FUSE.ALSO HAVE TIMING CHECKED IT COULD BE OFF.YOUR DISTRIBUTOR COULD HAVE TURNED A LITTLE THROW OFF TIMING.

Hi, disconnect the 3 harness attached and the distributor cap and/or spark plug wires. Remove 3- 12mm bolts. Pull disconnect the 3 harness attached and the distributor cap and/or spark plug wires. Remove 3- 12mm bolts. Pull on the distributor. When re-installing reiverse the process. Make sure that the distributor shaft is line up with the on the distributor. When re-installing reiverse the process. Make sure that the distributor shaft is line up with the notches on the cam. It only fits on way. If in one position dont fit. turn the shat 180 degree.
Take care

pull number one spark plug and put your pinky in the hole, rotate the engine with the starter solenoid and when u feel pressure at max u are near or at number one cylinder top dead center, bring the timing mark to 10 deg BTDC and then pull distributor and point the rotor to number one plug wire terminal.

A diagram may not be needed as its a reasonably easy fix to do on your own.the distributor ca p will only fit on properly one way because at the base of the cap locaters can only fit the distributor if they line up.When doing the spark plug leads do them one at a time and if nessecary write or mark leads as 1,2 etc .The rotor can only fit on one way but put a mark on the distributor to show where the rotor was pointing when you took it off and if it still points there when the new one is fitted.When changing distributor cap and leads they have to go to the correct place.Pays to mark the outside of distributor cap where the locating bits are On the new and old one.Fit the new cap and rotor then take a spark plug lead and fit to new cap 1 at a time.You can tell by lining up the marks on the outside of the distributor cap when you hold them one on top of the other.Good luck