Distributor
The distributor is a device operated off the camshaft
which ensures that the cylinders
of the internal
combustion engine are fired in the correct sequence and
at the optimum time. See also ignition
system.
The distributor's task is to transmit the high voltage it
receives from the ignition coil
to each of the spark plugs in
the proper firing order and at the correct time. Inside it
is a rotor arm mounted on a distributor shaft that is usually
driven by the camshaft. As it rotates it delivers a carefully
timed high-voltage electrical impulse to each spark plug in
turn. The distributor is normally located at the end of the
camshaft or on the side of the engine
block.
Maintenance of the distributor
The distributor cap should be kept clean by wiping it with
a cloth. It should also be checked regularly for cracks, which
could cause ignition problems.
Adjusting the ignition timing
It is possible to adjust the ignition timing of vehicles equipped
with a distributor by loosening the bolt which holds the distributor
in place and rotating the distributor appropriately. For more
information see advance of ignition
timing. See also ignition
timing.
Distributorless ignition systems
Modern cars, including most built since the mid-1990s, have
computer-controlled ignition systems in which there is no
distributor. Instead of one central coil to supply the distributor
there is a separate coil for each spark plug, situated directly
on the plug itself. The plugs are located on the cylinder
head, and there are therefore no spark plug leads. The
car's engine management computer (engine control unit) controls
the timing of the sparks.
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