Reversing the plug on a 3-Pin CDI??

[LuftWaffle]

I was trying to organize a wiring mess on my 914 with a 2.4 911 CIS engine over the weekend. Part of that was to remove the plate with the CDI box. When I got it buttoned back up the car wouldn't start. It cranks but no start. It did start and run well prior to this. In checking the connections, I found that the plug receptacle on the CDI box was broken in such a way that it was possible to plug the harness in either way. I didn't notice that when I unplugged it so I don't know which way it was originally plugged in. I've tried the connector in both orientations and it doesn't matter. I don't know if the broken receptacle was an accident or done on purpose in order to correct for a PO's mis-wiring.

My question, I guess, is: would having it plugged in backward and turning on the ignition damage the CDI box? Any way to bench test using basic equipment?

Thanks!