Distributor cap

Distributor cap caps and rotors are responsible for passing the voltage from the ignition coils to the engine's cylinders in order to ignite the fuel-air mixture inside and power the engine.

A distributor is an electric and mechanical device used in the ignition system of older spark ignition engines. The distributor's main function is to route electricity from the ignition coil to each spark plug at the correct time. A distributor consists of a rotating arm 'rotor' that is attached to the top of a rotating 'distributor shaft'. The rotor constantly receives high-voltage electricity from an ignition coil via brushes at the centre of the rotor. As the rotor spins, its tip passes close to but does not touch the output contacts for each cylinder.

Distributor cap

A distributor cap is a removable component that is used in spark ignition systems to cover both the distributor and the rotor. In addition to covering these components, and protecting them from contamination, distributor caps are also responsible for helping to distribute electrical current from an ignition coil to a set of spark plugs. Since distributor caps are wear items, they have to be replaced periodically as they wear out. A distributor cap contains internal contacts and corresponding external posts. Although distributor cap designs can vary from one application to another, they all share a few basic components:. The main body of a distributor cap is typically made from molded plastic that has a number of metal components built into it. A typical cap has one metal contact and post per cylinder and one central contact and post for the coil. The central contact is typically a spring-loaded carbon brush that mates with a central contact point on the rotor, which allows it to remain electrically connected while the rotor is spinning. The other contacts are spaced evenly around the perimeter of the cap, which allows the rotor to touch them as it spins. Rather than having a central contact and post for the coil, some caps have two internal contacts.

They wear out easily.

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Although distributors are not common in modern vehicles, a distributor cap on older model vehicles connects the spark plug wires and distributor, and also protects your distributor's internal components. Distributor caps feature metal contact points on the underside, and when they are contacted by the rotor, this links the ignition coil's voltage to the proper spark plug to provide the power needed to create a spark. This is timed appropriately to ensure the rotor connects power to the spark plug at the appropriate time for combustion. With time, a distributor cap and its contacts may wear and fail under the stress of constant exposure to high voltage. If the distributor cap's contact points are worn down enough, it may not contact the rotor consistently, which can cause misfires or failed starts.

Distributor cap

A distributor is an electric and mechanical device used in the ignition system of older spark ignition engines. The distributor's main function is to route electricity from the ignition coil to each spark plug at the correct time. A distributor consists of a rotating arm 'rotor' that is attached to the top of a rotating 'distributor shaft'. The rotor constantly receives high-voltage electricity from an ignition coil via brushes at the centre of the rotor. As the rotor spins, its tip passes close to but does not touch the output contacts for each cylinder. As the electrified tip passes each output contact, the high-voltage electricity is able to 'jump' across the small gap.

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He has worked as a freelance writer since closing his shop in , and he currently covers automotive technology for Lifewire. If a distributor cap is properly installed, and the plug wires are attached to the proper spark plugs and distributor cap posts, then the plugs will be activated in the correct order and at the proper time. The central contact is typically a spring-loaded carbon brush that mates with a central contact point on the rotor, which allows it to remain electrically connected while the rotor is spinning. Under the Hood. It works with the rotor arm to route the electrical charge from the ignition coil to the spark plugs. View as:. See Saab Direct Ignition. The number of contacts in this case 4 is the same as the number of engine cylinders. That way, by the time the spark arcs its way across the gap between the rotor and the cylinder, the piston will just reach the top of the stroke and the pressure will be able to build up as it descends into its power stroke. If this occurs, you may experience frequent misfires. Share this: Email Print Share on Tumblr. What is a Distributor Cap? This is typically accomplished via some type of keyway or other eccentric base design, as a properly oriented distributor cap is essential for the correct operation of an internal combustion engine. Show all vehicles.

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These components are wear items, which means that they are expected to wear out after a certain amount of time or usage. Older distributor designs used a cam on the distributor shaft that operates the contact breaker also called points. In older distributors, adjusting the ignition timing is usually achieved through both mechanical advance and vacuum advance. Another variation is found in vehicles that have two spark plugs per cylinder. Portal Category. What does a new distributor cap do? This design means that high-voltage electricity is only present in the small distance between each coil and the spark plug. The main body of a distributor cap is typically made from molded plastic that has a number of metal components built into it. This can be accomplished in a variety of different ways, but conventional mechanical and electronic ignition systems do it with a distributor, distributor cap, and a rotor. P through S. What is a Distributor Cap?