What is engine distributor

A distributor is an enclosed rotating shaft used in spark-ignition internal combustion engines that have mechanically-timed ignition. The distributor’s main function is to route secondary, or high voltage, current from the ignition coil to the spark plugs in the correct firing order, and for the correct amount of time. As the distributor turns, the rotor turns as well, distributing voltage to each of the cap’s outer terminals one at a time. The voltage then travels from each of the distributor’s outer terminals, through individual spark plug wires, to each of the spark plugs. Then the spark plug fires, igniting the air/fuel mixture inside the engine.

A distributor consists of a rotating arm or rotor inside the distributor cap, on top of the distributor shaft, but insulated from it and the body of the vehicle. On such distributors, the timing advance is controlled electronically by the engine computer (ECU). This allows more accurate control of ignition timing, as well as the ability to alter timing based on factors other than engine speed and manifold vacuum (such as engine temperature). Additionally, eliminating vacuum and centrifugal advance results in a simpler and more reliable distributor.

Distributor cap

The distributor cap is the cover that protects the distributor’s internal parts and holds the contacts between internal rotor and the spark plug wires.

Because of faulty distributor there are lots of problem will occur, here are some of the most common problem

• Lack of Engine Performance

A faulty distributor can cause of lack of engine performance, such as stalling, misfiring, and poor acceleration. Air fuel mixture would not burn properly, and it is also cause of power loss and misfiring.

• Engine light malfunction on Instrument cluster

Because of engine misfiring engine control unit send a signal to instrument cluster and then engine light start glowing.

• Increased emissions

If spark plugs are not getting enough current because of faulty distributer and spark plugs are not getting ignite at right time as per firing order then the complete combustion will not happened. and it will the cause of high emission.

• Abnormal noise and vibration

Because of misfiring, engine have excessive vibration and abnormal noise.