What Does A Distributor Do In A Car?
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Each car you see is made up of many moving parts, from the steering wheel to the engine. No matter how small, each component plays a role in the overall function of the machine. One of those items is the distributor. If you’re new to the car scene, you might wonder - what does a distributor do in a car? What is the purpose of this item in the vehicle’s design?
If you’re interested in learning more about the role of a distributor in a car, you’ve come to the right place. The more you know about what makes your vehicle tick, the easier it will be to improve upon the longevity of your machine. Read on to learn more about what a distributor does, how it works, how to tell if it’s bad, and other valuable information.
What Does A Distributor Do In A Car?
So, what does a distributor do in a car? According to carparts.com, the role of the distributor is to provide a spark to each of the spark plugs. Once the spark goes to the plugs, it ignites the air-fuel system inside the engine and permits it to start. The distributor plays a role in ensuring the vehicle can move forward.
Once upon a time, a distributor was a common item found inside a vehicle’s structure. It was normal for all cars to use a distributor to ignite the air-fuel mixture inside the engine to power it forward. However, that isn’t the case anymore.
Today, more and more cars are shifting to less complicated coil packs to ignite this system. However, many vehicles still have distributors, especially if made at least a decade ago. It’s a good idea to check to see if your car has one.
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How Does A Distributor Work?
According to getjerry.com, the distributor functions in several critical ways. It has two distinct jobs when placed on the hood of a vehicle.
The first function of the distributor is to provide a high-voltage current through the distributor from the ignition coil and to the spark plugs, ensuring they are sent at the correct intervals. Once they do, the fuel-air system inside will ignite.
The other function of the distributor is to work as the on-off function for the ignition coil in the vehicle’s system. It does this by sending signals to the ignition module, which in turn keeps the engine running in tip-top shape.
The distributor isn’t too complicated. However, it plays a valuable role in most older cars.
How Do I Know If My Distributor Is Bad?
If you don’t have a distributor, it will be impossible for your vehicle to function correctly. It’s critical to identify this issue as soon as possible to prevent all-around failure. There are several items you can look for to help you tell if your distributor is faulty and it’s time for a repair.
According to mycarmakesnoise.com, here are some signs of a poor distributor:
- Your vehicle won’t start
- Your car shakes
- Your engine is misfiring or backfiring
- There is a high-pitched noise under the hood
- The check engine light is on
- You failed your previous emissions test
These indicate a fault with the distributor.
The more familiar you are with these troubles, the easier it will be to determine when you need to repair or replace your distributor. Without a fix, you could damage your engine and you won’t be able to go where you want to go. It’s a vital component in many vehicles on the market today.
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How Much Does It Cost To Fix A Distributor?
If your distributor breaks, it’s usually easier to replace it rather than tweak it and pay for smaller fixes. Although this component is far from the most expensive to handle, it’s still a good idea to save up for it so you aren’t taken by surprise.
According to getjerry.com, it costs about $190-$500 to replace this component. That price point includes the part and the labor that goes into adding this component to your system and removing the older one. It typically takes 5-8 hours for a professional to complete the job.
If you know what you’re doing, you can always invest in a distributor and finish the job yourself. However, you need to know what you’re doing - if you don’t, you could damage your car which will lead to even more expenses on your end.
How To Extend Your Distributor’s Lifespan
When considering the question - what does a distributor do in a car - it’s also helpful to ponder what can be done to extend the lifespan of the component. The longer it lasts, the longer you can go without forking over hundreds in repairs.
The best way to extend the lifespan of your distributor and other components is to clean the distributor. Every once in a while, it’s a good idea to clean the cap and terminals with a contact cleaner. Before you do, ensure the car is off and the cables are not plugged into the system.
Of course, the way you drive and treat the other components will also impact the lifespan. The more you love your vehicle, the longer it will survive and the less it will cost you at the end of the day.
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Final Thoughts
What does a distributor do in a car? It’s a valuable item that sends energy to the spark plugs, allowing them to ignite the air-fuel combination in the engine and send the car forward. If something happens to it, your vehicle will struggle to turn on. Extend your car’s lifespan by watching for distributor failure as often as possible.
We hope this information was helpful! The more you know about how each component functions in a vehicle, the easier it will be to get help for your car and prevent it from breaking down further. Although distributors are becoming rarer, they still exist and should be treated with care by those with cars that still have them.
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