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Repair Topics / Engine
Distributor
Car Engine Distributor
Questions and Answers This
category contains featured questions as
examples. They relate to most vehicles.

Question: 1999 Honda Accord
mileage: 78,000. All of a sudden I'm am hearing
a very bad squeal under my distributor cap when
I pulled into a gas station. Upon reaching home,
I took off the cap and noticed a lot of clay
colored powder underneath. I replaced the cap
and rotor and used forced air to blow the inside
clean, however I still hear the loud squealing
sound underneath the cap when the engine is
running. The shaft does not seem loose and the
engine runs smooth when it is running. Am I
supposed to lubricate something? (With what?) Or
is there another problem with the distributor.
Answer: It sounds like
your bearings have failed and the distributor
will have to be replaced.
Question: 1999 Toyota Prius
mileage: 65,500. What is the problem with my
distributor? I have heard repeating noise from
it when the engine running. I opened it and saw
the rotor edge was damaged, so I replaced a new
rotor that I bought from a local Toyota dealer.
But the noise still won't go away. I also check
ignition coil's primary resistance, which was
0.7 ohm [within specification?]. The secondary
resistance was 12.51 K ohms. Additional
information: 1. In Aug 2000, a local Toyota
dealer installed new timing belts and new
starter for my car. 2. Only the silicon portion
that was connected to spark plug in engine # 1
turned to dark orange color. It was black color
before the noise symptom. 3. My car had a new
distributor at 32,500 miles.
Answer: The problem with
your distributor may be a bad bearing allowing
the shaft to wobble. In addition, replace the
distributor, it may be time to replace the cap
and plug wires.
Question:
1999 Honda Accord mileage: 80,000. How
often does a distributor usually last (need to
be replaced)? I just got it replaced 4
years ago and now my car is dead. Mechanic says
the distributor needs to be replaced. Does
that sound right?
Answer:
Normally, distributors last the lifetime of the
car. Unfortunately, Honda has had a
problem with their distributors failing
prematurely. Your mechanic is probably
right here.
Question:
1999 Mazda Tribute mileage: 32,500. I
recently bought the car and it started and ran
fine. Then I washed out the engine
compartment with a hose. Now the car will
not start. No spark. The distributor
cap and wires are OK. There is voltage at
the ignition coil and igniter. The engine
diagnostic code says 2 flashes - my shop manual
says this means "Distributor No signal".
What can I do?
Answer:
Check your timing belt, if ok then replace the
ignition pick up coil.
Question:
1999 Toyota Camry mileage: 91,500. This
car has had a history of distributor cap
problems. I was driving it home when it
stalled on me. I got it repaired at a
local repair shop. They said that the
ignition coil had burned out. I brought
the car home but found that the same problem
still existed. When the car heats up (to
the normal engine temp), it stalls and will not
turn over until the engine is cool again.
If the engine does turn over when it is warm, it
will spit and sputter, race again (like normal)
and then spit and sputter then stall. I
took it back to the same repair shop and they
are saying that the igniter on the car is burned
out as well. The cost is $360 plus labor.
What is your expert opinion on this problem?
Answer:
All components of the ignition system are tied
together. If one is weak or starting
to fail, it will put a strain on the rest of the
system. Check all ignition components.
Be sure spark plugs are recently replaced with
the factory recommend brand, heat range and gap.
If the spark plug wires are several years old,
replace them. Check the engine
ground wires.
Question:
1955 Chevy Del Ray 6 cyl mileage: 72,200.
I was replacing the distributor cap on my car
and messed up terribly! Took off all the
wiring without noting which wire goes with the
right spark plug. Please help!
Please, explain as if you were explaining to a 2
year old. Thank you! Regards, JIF
(worse than a shade tree mechanic)
Answer: The firing
order is 1-5-3-6-2-4 in a clockwise rotation.
Now the next step gets a little more involved.
To find number 1 on the distributor cap, slowly
turn the engine over until the timing mark and
the mark on the front crank pulley line up.
Remove the distributor cap. The rotor will
be pointing to number 1 or number 6. (The
engine turns over twice before number 1 fires.)
Starting with the terminal the rotor is pointing
to, put number 1 plug wire there, next
(clockwise) number 5, etc. Now, if the
engine starts, great! If not, remove
number 6 plug wire from the cap and plug number
1 wire in that terminal. Now, clockwise
number 5, etc. Good Luck!
Question:
1999 Olds Alero mileage: 85,000. I have
recently purchased the above-mentioned auto for
my son. While tuning it for the coming
winter I have found it impossible to get at the
distributor cap and rotor. From above I
can get my hand in far enough to change the
spark plug wires but that's all.
From below, I cannot even get near the
distributor?. Any suggestions or hints
would be greatly appreciated.
Answer:
Some cars are not mechanic friendly. Yours
is one of them. Just do the best you can
from the top.

Repair Topics / Engine
Distributor
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