Ignition distributor: common defects and their signs

1. Burning-out of a rotor of the ignition distributor.
   • The engine doesn’t start.
   • Knocking of piston pins appears during acceleration.
   • The engine suddenly stalls during driving.
   • The engine power loss.
   • Failures of the engine rpm.
2. Short circuit or oxidation of the contacts.
   • Consumption of fuel increases significantly.
   • The engine operates with failures.
   • The engine acceleration capability worsens.
3. Mechanical damages and wear of the elements.
   • The car jerks unpromptedly during driving.
   • The engine operation is unstable during idling.
   • The rpm indicator needle vibrates (in the cars equipped with it).
   • Tapping occurs in the silencer and intake manifold.
   • The engine operates with failures.

How to repair or replace ignition distributor?

On the average, check of the car ignition distributor elements should be performed every 10 000 operational kilometers. At appearance of defects signs, noted above, it is not necessary to replace the whole part, you can only perform replacement of the broken element. The rotor and the cap contacts are subjected to wear and damages the most.

In order to spot the cause of defects, the ignition distributor should be demounted, dismantled and visually inspected. Demounting and disassembling can be performed single-handedly. Actions sequence may vary for cars of different models, so you should study vehicle technical documentation, before starting the works. Generally, demounting consists in the following:

1. Disconnect the negative terminal from the battery.
2. Pay attention to position of the component and spark plugs wires. If necessary, make marks to keep everything in order at the following assembling.
3. Disconnect wires from spark plugs and the ignition coil from the cap of the ignition distributor.
4. Remove a hose of the vacuum regulator.
5. Unscrew fastening bolts on the sides and in the center of the ignition distributor, and then remove it.

Then, replacement of the ignition distributor elements, which caused its defectiveness, is performed. If defect cause lies in contacts oxidation, they can be cleaned with the help of dry cloth and special cleaner. If the mechanism cap or the ignition distributor rotor are damaged, then you should:

1. Unscrew two bolts, fastening the cap, and remove wires from it.
2. Pull the rotor and remove it from the shaft.
3. Install a new ignition rotor and install a new cap.
4. Perform assembling of the ignition distributor in the reverse order.