, or ignition distributor, is a device that helps your ignition system harness the voltage it needs to start your engine. The distributor is a cap and rotor system that distributes (what else?) high voltage from the ignition coils to the correct cylinders.
How Does My Ignition Distributor Work?
Your vehicle’s ignition distributor divvies out voltage, but how? There are a few parts and processes involved in the distributor’s function, but all-in-all, it’s pretty simple to understand.
First, the ignition coil connects to the distributor rotor, which spins inside the distributor cap. As the rotor spins, it passes contact points, which correlate to each cylinder in your vehicle. For every cylinder, there is one distributor rotor
contact point. Though they are called “contact” points, the rotor doesn’t actually touch these points.
When the distributor rotor passes the contact points, it distributes high voltage, which continues down the spark plug wire on each cylinder. Then, it’s your spark plug’s job to continue the ignition process and fire-up your vehicle.
Distributor Maintenance
Over time, your vehicle’s distributor will wear out—all that spinning and high energy takes a toll. That’s why the cap and rotor are usually replaced when you take your vehicle in for a tune-up. The new distributor cap & rotor kit, or a
distributor repair kit, as well as new
spark plugs and spark plug wires, give your ignition system a fresh start.
Because the distributor requires regular maintenance, it’s good to know about some specific parts involved, if only to avoid confusion when the shop whips out a long laundry list. Some common ignition distributor parts, or parts related to the distributor’s function, include the temperature compensator, voltage stabilizer, distributor breaker plate, distributor cap and rotor kit, distributor cap gasket (or just distributor gasket), distributor condenser wire, distributor bearing, distributor dust cover, and distributor O-ring.
Common Distributor Parts
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