Car ignition distributor

Ignition distributor is a component of the ignition system. It distributes high voltage that occurs in the ignition coil to different cylinders. Moreover, by means of the Hall sensor or breaker ignition system, the ignition distributor distributes ignition spark that ignites the air-fuel mixture in cylinders. The ignition distributor can be easily found by a cover of a characteristic shape. But most of modern cars do not have ignition distributor. Instead of it an ignition coil for each cylinder is used.

There are a lot of reasons why the ignition system malfunctions. A defect of ignition distributor can result in the ignition absence. In this case it is easy to reveal the cause of failure. Unfortunately, in practice only a part of the distributor malfunctions. The vehicle can stop when driving. As the ignition distributor is under a high voltage, only specialists can repair it. Any mistake can result in bad consequences for a self-taught car owner.

After demounting it is necessary to reinstall the ignition system in order the ignition points to coincide. Only after this a new ignition distributor will operate. Carmakers give accurate instructions how to install the ignition system. These rules must be followed in repair shops. Do you want to replace the ignition cable, spark plug, ignition runner, ignition module, block-crankcase and muffler or conditioner compressor? In our online store you will find any spare car parts you need.

Ignition distributor failures

• defects of the distributor housing;
• soiling of distributor cover;
• worn-out carbon contact;
• worn-out or broken distributor rotor;
• oxidation of distributor contacts;
• jamming of the bearing of the   advance mechanism;
• Hall sensor is damaged (at the contactless distributor);
• end of distributor service life.

Signs of ignition distributor failures

• the ignition system does not response;
• the engine starts hardly;
• resistance values of the ignition cable are higher than standard;
• the engine fails when idling;
• exhaust silencer produces abnormal pops;
• increased fuel consumption.

Causes of ignition distributor failures

• the component was used after the end of service life;
• oil or moisture got onto the component;
• fuel of poor quality was used;
• change of spark plugs was carried out with delay;
• the functional coil is broken;
• cables were attached to the distributor in the improper sequence;
• ignition coil power considerably decreased;
• the fuse of the distributor rotor stopped working.

Diagnostics

Value of resistance is the main indicator of serviceability of the Ignition distributor. Its measurement is carried out by connection of the ohmmeter to the contacts. The distributor  works correctly if the figures are the following:

• between a G contact and the chassis — 20–31 kOhm;
• between A and B contacts — 0,49–0,73 kOhm.

Individual values of resistance are pointed in technical documentation of the exact vehicle.

Planned diagnostics of the distributor is carried out together with checking of all the system every 30000 operational kilometers.

Repair of ignition distributor

Repair of the Ignition distributor is carried out only by service station specialists. It is because the part has fragile sensors which damage can cause breakage of all the ignition system.

If there are defects on the distributor cover, it should be replaced. If the carbon contact is dropped out during distributor cover removal, change of the carbon and spring is performed. It is also possible to replace only damaged components, meeting   two conditions when doing that:

• having checked compatibility;
• having measured the resistance in the assembled distributor .

Replacement of ignition distributor

The Ignition distributor has to be replaced only at detection of critical damage or upon termination of work term.

To make a detachment of the distributor, it is necessary to remove a rotor, to disconnect fixations of the coil and its wires, and also disconnect the capacitor. This work is quite complex and takes a long time period. When doing it, it is necessary to mark sequence and paired relationship of contacts. Connection of improper pair of wires can lead to breakage of all ignition system.