Without the ignition function, even the most efficient engine – whether thermal or linked to a hybrid system, for that matter – would be utterly useless. So our coils, wires and other ignition parts play a crucial role for motorists, and our teams today still take pride in contributing to the Bougicord® brand – world-renowned for over 60 years.
The distributor (or ignition distributor) consists of a distributor cap, a capacitor, a rotating arm, and a contact breaker (also called “points”). It directs the high-voltage current generated by the ignition coil to the spark plugs to generate the spark to ignite the air/fuel mixture. In addition, each component has a specific and pivotal role in the system.
The capacitor accelerates the primary current to break down quickly and cleanly to maximize the secondary voltage; if it fails, the engine will often stall due to a lack of power.
The rotating arm, also known as a rotor, is responsible for redirecting the high-voltage current to the spark plugs, and is therefore inseparable from the distributor cap.
In addition, the points’ role is to control the decoupling of the voltage from the battery, via a lift at each cam passage, to allow the energy to flow to the coil.
All petrol engine vehicles available on the market before the end of the 90s had an ignition distributor. Today, the distributor is electronic and only requires the coils to be fitted directly to the spark plugs.
SYMPTOMS
The following symptoms are often associated with the failure of the ignition distributor and its components:
DIAGNOSIS PROCEDURE
First and foremost, you need to visually inspect the ignition distributor to determine if it has a clear fault that can explain its failure. It is strongly recommended to check for the following:
It is also possible to test with the motor running, to ensure that there is indeed an arc between the distributor cap and the spark plugs. However, this operation can be dangerous, so be advised: do not touch the strands when the motor is running, as high voltage can cause electrocution.
If you cannot confirm that there is an arc, you can use a multimeter to check the ignition coil’s voltage. The coil is directly connected to the distributor cap, so it must have a positive voltage in order to carry the electrical current to the spark plugs.
If the previous tests are not conclusive, you must replace your vehicle’s ignition distributor.
CAUSES OF FAILURE
It is possible that the ignition distributor no longer functions due to:
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
To ensure a quick and efficient installation, you must refer to the following instructions:
INSTALLATION TIPS
It is important to follow several tips when replacing the ignition distributor to avoid mistakes:
PREVENTIVE INFORMATION
The above items are provided for information purposes only. They do not replace the advice of a qualified technician or mechanic. We strongly recommend that you consult a professional if you are unsure of what to do. Otherwise, we cannot accept responsibility for any damage to your vehicle.
If you find that your vehicle misfires in wet and/or humid weather or will not start at all, then the ignition parts are in a critical condition. There is also a good chance that the engine is erratically slowing down and losing power. Increased fuel consumption and pollutant emissions add to the symptoms of ignition part failure.
First, we strongly advise you to check the distributor and its components, making sure that there is no moisture, cracks, or charred studs.
We also invite you to inspect the thickness of the central carbon (decreased it if it is worn).
It is also possible to test with the motor running, to ensure that there is indeed an arc between the distributor cap and the spark plugs. However, this operation can be dangerous, so be advised: do not touch the strands when the motor is running, as high voltage can cause electrocution.
If you cannot confirm that there is an arc, you can use a multimeter to check the ignition coil’s voltage. The coil is directly connected to the distributor cap, so it must have a positive voltage to carry the electrical current to the spark plugs.
If the previous tests are not conclusive, then you will have to replace the distributor or some of its components (which are sometimes marketed individually, as does our company for a large part of our range).
There are many reasons why an ignition distributor may be failing. Time-related wear and tear (replacement is recommended every 60,000 km). Of course, this list is not exhaustive and other reasons can cause the distributor to fail.
We recommend the following steps to replace your distributor as efficiently as possible and to limit possible mistakes:
To extend your ignition parts’ durability and as an ignition specialist for over 60 years now, we strongly advise you to observe the following installation recommendations:
