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WAI Global Distributor - New - DST1004
- Part #:
- DST1004
- Line:
- WAI
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A vehicle's ignition system is made up of several parts, including one or more ignition coils, spark plug wires or boots, and spark plugs. Distributors are found in older ignition systems and allocate the power from a single ignition coil to the appropriate spark plug. Called a "distributor" because it distributes electrical current, the distributor is usually located on the front or rear of the engine block and consists of a rotating shaft, a rotor, and a cap. It may also have mechanical breaker points or a magnet and reluctor wheel designed to communicate with the coil and tell it when to build voltage to be sent to the spark plugs. The distributor shaft is usually driven by the engine's camshaft, and as it rotates, it causes the rotor to turn inside the cap. The distributor cap has metal terminals for each spark plug wire and the coil, and as the rotor passes each terminal, it connects the coil to the spark plug wire to send an electrical pulse to the corresponding spark plug. This process repeats in a specific firing order that varies by engine, and this keeps the distributor in time with the cam to create spark that is needed for combustion at the appropriate moment. The distributor may suffer damage from heat exposure or mechanical failure over the course of its life, and might require service or replacement to restore performance. Misfires, incorrect timing, an inability to start your car, an illuminated Check Engine light, or a failed emissions test can all be signs that your distributor is failing. Be sure to inspect your distributor cap, rotor, and shaft to properly diagnose an issue with your distributor's performance, and test your ignition module or other parts of the distributor to determine if they are operating within specification. It's important to diagnose and repair any ignition issues to keep your vehicle starting and running as you'd expect. For a replacement distributor, shop O'Reilly Auto Parts to find the distributor, rotor, points, condensers, or ignitor you need to complete your repair.