- Wrench
- Blown-up bar
- O-ring
- Distributor
- 1
The distributor, which is on the right side of the engine block as you face it, can be reached by following the spark plug wires. Disconnect the cable from the battery’s negative terminal.
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2
Leave the spark plug wires attached to the distributor cap while removing the air cleaner hose and all of the spark plug wires from the spark plugs. Label them to prevent confusion.
3
Make a note of where the rotor is in respect to the cylinder head. Use a wrench to remove the distributor hold-down bolt(s). Take the distributor assembly apart. The distributor shaft’s previous O-ring should be removed.
4
The crankshaft bolt, which you can locate in the pulley near the bottom of the engine, must be turned clockwise to bring the No. 1 piston to the Top Dead Center (TDC) mark. Turn the engine with a long-handled ratchet (breaking bar). The 0 mark on the No. 1 indication on the timing belt cover must line up with the timing mark on the crankshaft pulley.
5
Install the new O-ring by lightly lubricating it; the O-ring must be purchased separately from the distributor. Align the housing’s line with the distributor.
6
Into the cylinder head, insert the new distributor. Now line up the rotor with the cylinder head mark you drew. Lightly tighten the hold-down bolts with a wrench. For a 1993 1.8L Corolla, you can get part number A18477417 from Parts Train (see Resources); be prepared to provide your engine size and model year.
7
The proper spark plugs should receive the spark plug wires again. Reconnect the negative battery cable, the air cleaner hose, and the distributor connectors as well. Connect the battery cable that is negative. Reset digital devices like the clock and radio memory. The hold-down bolts should be tightened.
8
Connect the battery cable that is negative. Reset digital devices like the clock and radio memory. The hold-down bolts should be tightened.
How is a distributor changed?
We’ll explain where to find, how to remove, and how to replace the distributor cap in your car in this brief article.
Always consult a qualified mechanic if you have any doubts about your abilities or the difficulty of the work.
Locate the distributor cap
Under the car’s hood is where you may find the distributor cap. Locate a piece of grey plastic close to the center of the engine by opening the hood and looking around.
The distributor cap has spokes on its top and resembles a crown with black cables attached to them.
Remember to repair the distributor cap or the rotor right away if you notice that it is worn out or fractured.
Unhook the clips and screws on the cap
You must determine the connection between the cap and the car. Whatever the car’s model, it ought to be simple to remove the cap.
If clips are used to secure the distributor cap, remove them to release the cap.
If, however, it needs to be unscrewed, use a Philips head screwdriver to remove the screws by rotating them counterclockwise.
Some distributor caps lack screw-mounted clips. If so, depress the cap and turn it counterclockwise until it comes off.
To prevent separating these wires from the cap when removing the cap, use extreme caution.
Slide the rotor from the distributor housing
In your engine compartment, the rotor is situated right underneath the distributor cover. It resembles the blade of a fan.
The rotors are typically not fastened into the distributor housing, making it simple to remove them.
They will be located below the blade if the rotor has been screwed into place. To avoid having it fall into the engine, be cautious when removing it.
You must rotate the rotor after replacing it to make sure it is freely revolving.
Orient the spark plugs to the new cap
Set the distributor cap down and contrast it with a fresh cap before replacing it.
Start by transferring the first spark plug from the old cap to the matching spoke on the new cap to prevent any mishaps.
Reattach the plugs to the appropriate spokes in the new spark plug while working slowly to prevent mistakes.
Keep in mind that if you connect the spark plugs to the incorrect spark, your car’s electrical system could suffer severe damage.
Replace the cap
Make sure the cap is put in the same location as it was before you replaced it in the engine compartment.
Be sure to neatly tuck the spark plug cords into the container. An electrical problem could be caused by a coil or tangled lines.
Once you’re certain that everything is in place, fasten the cap with the same screws or clips that were used previously.
Test the car to ensure it is running smoothly
Incorrect positioning of either your car or the latter is evident if you switch on the ignition key and either backfires or misfires.
What is the price of replacing a distributor?
A car’s ignition system includes a distributor, which is a part of the engine. Its function is to take the electricity coming from the ignition coil and transfer it to the spark plugs. Damaged distributors may result in problems with the engine starting or misfiring. It will probably need to be replaced when this happens, which will necessitate fiscal planning.
A distributor replacement will typically cost between $89 and $123. This pricing covers the cost of work hours, which often ranges from $50 to $64, as well as the cost of parts, which are typically between $39 and $59 each.
Labor expenses will rise if the vehicle has a complicated setup, especially if other components that interact with the distributor need to be replaced.
Let’s look at the costs involved with changing this component if you’ve been having issues with your distributor.
What is the turnaround time for a distributor replacement?
I’m here. Without seeing the car or knowing how many auxiliary components must be taken out in order to replace a damaged component, it is very difficult to predict the length of the repair. Since a distributor must be precisely aligned and the ignition timing must be adjusted after replacement, removing and correctly installing one might take some time. However, in a shop setting, this kind of task might typically take up to 8 hours to accomplish properly.
When ought a distributor to be changed over?
Your distributor will experience wear and tear over time, just like any other component of your car. Typically, the housing and gear drive for the distributor last the whole life of the car. The rotor, cap, and points are among its less durable parts. The majority of drivers of older vehicles often need to repair these parts every 10k20k miles.
It’s a good idea to swap out your old distributor for a newer one even if the old one in your Ford or GM car appears to be functioning normally. Better technology in a modern distributor ensures more potent ignition and more accurate timing.
Several advantages result from replacing your old distributor with a new one:
What safety measures should you take when removing a distributor?
Due to space restrictions on some vehicles, replacing the contact-breaker locations or
Check which of the high-tension leads is attached to the distributor before removing it.
It is almost always the No. 1 cylinder, though on some vehicles, a different cylinder is used.
On various autos, there are different steps to take while removing and replacing the distributor. Consult your car’s service manual for more information.
Your car won’t start
A specific series of circumstances must take place in order for a car to start. The battery feeds the engine with current when you turn the key in the ignition. The engine can then begin spinning and consuming gasoline and air. Spark plugs employ electrical current to burn the fuel mixture as it enters the engine and initiate the combustion process that propels your car forward.
The spark plugs won’t receive the electrical current necessary to ignite the gasoline mixture if the distributor isn’t operating.
However, other broken parts, such as the fuel pump, ignition switch, start, fuel injectors, alternator, spark plugs, and more, might make it difficult to start your automobile. Before presuming that a new distributor is necessary, you should rule out all other options.
Your engine keeps misfiring or backfiring
When fuel in one of the cylinders fails to ignite, the engine misfires. Typically, a misfire feels like a jerking sensation. Usually, it will occur when accelerating, idling, or starting.
Backfiring is a related problem. Unburned fuel that has just left an engine cylinder might backfire when it comes in contact with the following spark plug. Your car can stall if it backfires.
Your car is shaking
Shaking is a sign of many various problems with your car, particularly problems with the wheels and tires. However, because a defective distributor can impact how the distributor rotor rotates, shaking is one of the most typical bad distributor symptoms. The engine that isn’t running may also be the cause of the trembling.
Your check engine light comes on
When the engine’s internal computer senses a problem, the check engine light is an indicator that flashes on your dashboard. The firing cycle is one of the things the computer keeps an eye on.
Your check engine light is probably going to turn on because of a bad distributor that is interfering with the engine’s ability to ignite fuel.
You hear a high-pitched noise coming from under the hood
One of the signs of a faulty distributor to look out for is noises. When your engine misfires or backfires, you might hear popping noises, but a defective distributor can also produce a loud screaming sound.
If debris and grease residues are clogging the distributor and preventing the bearings from rotating, you’ll probably hear this noise.
You failed your last emissions test
Unburned fuel may wind up leaving the engine because a faulty distributor might alter how the engine cylinders ignite. Therefore, if you have a defective distributor, you could fail your state’s emissions test. However, there are a lot of additional factors that could be at play.
How can I tell whether I require a new distributor?
If you have an older vehicle, it’s possible that it runs with a distributor. The car just doesn’t run right when the distributor is broken because it connects the plugs to the ignition coil and maintains the motor’s current. We examine a few signs of a damaged distributor cap to assist you in determining whether this is the issue you are experiencing.
Our essay also covers on where to find the distributor cap and how it functions. In the end, if you want to keep your car operating for longer, you’ll need to know how much it costs to replace a distributor cap. Let’s quickly review the warning signs:
The difficulty starting the automobile in rainy or foggy conditions is the most typical sign of a damaged distributor cap. An engine that is trembling or stalling may also be noticeable. Additionally frequent are squealing sounds, and your dashboard may display a check engine light.
The following is a more thorough list of the most typical signs of a damaged distributor cap:
How do you spot a dubious distributor?
How to Recognize a Defective Distributor
- Verify the distributor cap. The distributor cap is frequently questioned.
- Look over the Contact Points. Examine the condenser; if it is damaged, the engine won’t run.
- Verify the Arc.
- Materials and Tools
- Turn the engine over.
- Eliminate the Previous Distributor.
- the Point Gap set.
- Distributor should be set.
A fresh distributorcan it fail?
The distributor cap and rotor transmit ignition coil voltage to the engine’s cylinders. The air/fuel mixture is then ignited, which starts the engine. The rotor and coil are connected, and the rotor spins inside the distributor cap. The high voltage pulse travels from the coil to the cylinder through the rotor when the tip of the rotor reaches a contact on the cylinder. The spark plug on the cylinder is eventually ignited by the pulse after it has traveled from the gap to the spark plug wire.
When you turn on your car, electricity passes through the distributor rotor and cab since they are frequently exposed to high voltage. As a result, they occasionally become worn out. The complete ignition system should be checked to make sure everything is in working order after replacing the distributor rotor and cap.
The key to detecting rotor and cap failure in your distributor is preventative maintenance. The ignition should be carefully examined each time your car receives normal maintenance or is repaired by a mechanic. Additionally, if you drive through a deep puddle, this component is more prone to break since water will seep into the distributor cap and short out the electrical current. If this is the case, the cap might only need to dry out for a while rather than being replaced. You may always arrange for a professional technician to evaluate your vehicle if you have any questions or if you start to notice any issues with it starting up. Your system will be carefully inspected, and the distributor rotor and cap will be changed.
Because the distributor rotor and cap are situated in a hostile environment and can degrade over time, it’s crucial to understand the warning signs this component will display before it breaks entirely.
The following are indicators that your distributor rotor and cap need to be replaced:
- Check Engine Light illuminates
- The automobile won’t even turn on.
- The engine stalls and is difficult to start.
The distributor cap and rotor are crucial for your car to start, thus the repair shouldn’t be postponed.