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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.
The distributor is like a traffic cop for electricity. The distributor contains, among other parts, a rotor that spins, and a number of contacts mounted to the distributor cap. Power from the ignition coil is supplied to the rotor. The rotor spins in time with the engine.
The distributor is the component that transfers the voltage from the ignition coil to the spark plugs. The primary components of the distributor include the rotor and the cap, in which the former spins inside the latter. The cap has the output contacts. The distributor is driven by the engine’s camshaft.
The distributor consists of a rotating arm, otherwise known as a rotor, which is inside the distributor cap and on top of the distributor shaft. The rotating shaft is timed ultimately to the crankshaft via the camshaft or a gear, that turns the rotor.
Check the Arc
Place the metal screwdriver near the electrode of the distributor. It should not touch the electrode. Step away from the hood and have someone watch the arc while the ignition is turned on. If there is an arc, it is firing.
Electricity Goes Out
The average vehicle ignition coil puts out 20,000 to 30,000 volts, and coils used in racing applications are capable of 50,000 or more volts at a constant rate.
Distributor markup is when distributors raise the selling price of their products in order to cover their own costs and make a profit. Distributor markup is generally 20%, but depending on the industry, the markup could be as low as 5% or as high as 40%.
For example, he can stock both LG and Samsung fridges, which means a distributor is known as exclusive suppliers. Distributors can solve non-competitive products. He will be in agreement to supply only merchandise from a manufacturer. In this case of a situation, distributors can stock and provide Samsung fridges.
The ignition coil is the part of your engine that produces high voltage in order to power your cylinders. The distributor is what gets that high voltage from the coil to the right cylinder. … The ignition coil connects to the rotor, and the rotor spins around inside the cap.
Advancing the ignition timing helps raise the high-end power while reducing the low end. It also helps get the spark past the ignition delay and run at peak power. Ignition timing retarding causes the spark plug to fire later in the compression stroke.
What’s happening is that the moisture that’s stuck inside the distributor cap is compromising your spark. … Eventually, as the engine heats up, the moisture in the distributor evaporates, the plug wires warm up and dry out a bit, and the cylinders all fire.
Engine cranks but doesn’t start
If the distributor is bad, the engine may not get the spark it needs. As a result, the engine will crank, but it will not start or run.
Bad spark plugs, fouled-up plug wires or a cracked distributor cap can cause spark loss, while compression loss — in which too much of the air-fuel mixture flees a cylinder before going bang — commonly arises from a leaky exhaust valve or a blown head gasket [sources: B&B; O’Reilly].
For positive ground the “+” terminal goes to the distributor (to be grounded on the engine block). For negative ground the “-” terminal goes to the distributor (to be grounded on the engine block). The ignition coil is the part of your engine that produces high voltage in order to power your cylinders.
ignition coil
In terms of operation, the spark plug is connected to the high voltage generated by an ignition coil (by way of a conventional distributor or by way of an electronic means). As electricity flows from the coil, a voltage difference develops between the center electrode and ground electrode on the spark plug.
The module receives a signal from a sensor inside the distributor. The signal is then used to fire the ignition coil creating the energy for the spark plugs. The ignition module may be located inside the distributor, on the distributor housing, or mounted to the side of the engine compartment.
For example, a manufacturer will offer cooperative marketing funds to help a distributor advertise in a powerful industry publication, but the manufacturer will still charge the distributor a restock fee for returning product that does not sell.
Distributors have to pay the manufacturer price and their margins are determined by how much they can sell it to retailers for. … Also, cost of goods sold isn’t the only cost that the distributors incur.
A distributor is an entity that buys noncompeting products or product lines and sells them direct to end users or customers. Most distributors also provide a range of services such as technical support, warranty or service. Distributors are essential in helping reach markets manufacturers could not otherwise target.
While all distributors are not directly to the public, the fact is that a large number are. … This only serves to reduce the value of the product and destroy the ability of the retailer to make a legitimate profit from their investment in samples and sales people.
A distributor works closely with a manufacturer in order to sell more goods and gain better visibility on these goods. Distributors find wholesalers who will resale their products. … A wholesaler only fulfills orders from retailers and assumes no role other than satisfying retailer demands.
With the electronic ECUs the distribution and making and breaking were all electronically switched – meaning no more mechanical parts to wear. ECUs are generally good for the life of the car making them maintenance free. By the very late 1990’s mechanical distributors were pretty much gone from all cars.
The power from the ignition switch need to go to the plus side of the coil and the negative goes the the distributor on a 12v system.
One end of the secondary is grounded (the ‘negative’ terminal), the coil produces the voltage (the ‘battery’) and the output goes out the ‘positive’ terminal to the spark plug, where it jumps the spark gap and returns to ground, completing the circuit.
Replacing the distributor requires you to use a timing light to set the timing of the engine after the new distributor is installed. To do this, you’ll need to use the timing specifications unique to your vehicle. Often, these are on a sticker under the hood or in the engine compartment.
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