The distributor cap and rotor are two essential pieces that distribute electrical
current to the spark plugs. The distributor cap connects to the spark plugs directly
using a spark plug wire. The number of plug wires connected depends on the amount
of spark plugs that are in the engine. For example, an eight cylinder engine will
have eight plug wires.
Typical Ignition System in Operation
The rotor is designed to spin inside of the distributor cap,
just missing the terminals inside the cap. A worn or damaged rotor can cause your
vehicle to run rough, or even stall completely. The rotor is rotating at the same
speed as the camshaft which also happens to be 1/2 the speed of the crankshaft.
Distributor Cap and Rotor (appearance may vary)
A problem occurs when the contacts inside the distributor cap can become dirty
and worn. It is best to replace the distributor cap and rotor every
tune
up to ensure the contacts are clean to transmit power to each spark plug. The
distributor cap and rotor generally have few problems other than worn connections
that results in the cap needing to be replaced. There are numerous brands of distributor
caps and rotors that are available. It is your decision to select the appropriate
brand based on your individual wishes. However, when selecting the distributor cap
and rotor it is best to select an OE (original equipment) replacement for proper
performance and durability.If a misfiring problem has occurred and you
cannot determine the cause of it, it is advisable to inspect the distributor cap and
rotor for corrosion. Worn ignition components can cause the vehicle to misfire which
leads to wasted fuel, rough running and stalling. Some early distributor ignition
systems featured a point set and condenser. A solid state system was later adopted.
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