Distributor cap

Distributor 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. The coil connects directly to the rotor, and the rotor spins distributor cap the distributor cap. When the rotor's tip passes a contact on distributor cap cylinder, a high-voltage pulse travels from the coil to the cylinder via the rotor. That pulse jumps the little gap between contact and rotor and moves on to the spark plug wire, distributor cap, eventually igniting the spark plug on the cylinder.

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. This is due to the fact that some vehicles have ignition coils that are located inside or on top of the distributor. Instead of using an external post and a coil wire, these coils are connected to a rotor by an internal connection inside the cap.

Since there's a short delay between when the spark is created and when it ignites the mixture in the cylinder, distributor cap, the spark has to happen before the piston reaches the top of its stroke.

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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. The distributor cap may also be damaged or crack, which can allow moisture into the distributor housing and lead to corrosion or other damage.

Distributor cap

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Mobile Newsletter chat dots. A distributor is an electric and mechanical device used in the ignition system of older spark ignition engines. Plus, the more efficient the cylinders are, the better the car's mileage will be. When a distributor cap is installed, it has to be lined up correctly on the distributor. The pivot is on the right and the cam follower is in the middle of the breaker arm. What is a Fuel Gauge? Mobile Newsletter banner close. Brakes What is Brake Fluid? How a Car Works. Mechanical advance adjusts the timing based on the engine speed rpm , using a set of hinged weights attached to the distributor shaft. Retrieved Read Edit View history. Distributor caps typically just wear out, but they may also crack. Search: Search.

The distributor cap and rotor distribute the high voltage from the coil to the correct cylinder.

The Green Spark Plug Co. What is a Distributor Cap? This article is about the engine component. Other caps have slight variations in design due to the way that the engines of some vehicles are set up. Alternator Battery Dynamo Starter motor. Archived from the original on You must have JavaScript enabled in your browser to utilize the functionality of this website. The exhaust increases the pressure in the cylinder and pushes the piston down. These ignition systems always fire two plugs at once: one on its combustion stroke and the other on its exhaust stroke. Mobile Newsletter chat dots. In conventional mechanical and electronic ignition systems, a distributor provides both a stationary base for a distributor cap and a source of rotational movement for a rotor. Fast Delivery - Products in stock for same day dispatch. When a distributor cap is installed, it has to be lined up correctly on the distributor. By: HowStuffWorks.