What’s a distributor? (And why should you care?)
Alright, so if you’ve got an older Mazda Demio, Suzuki Swift, or maybe your reliable old Toyota Estima, you might’ve heard us nattering about the “distributor.” Basically, it’s a key bit in your ignition system – it flicks electrical charge from the ignition coil off to the spark plugs, one by one, so your car actually fires up and goes. If it’s stuffed, no sparks, no go. Doesn’t matter if you’re trying to cruise down Ulster Street or chug around Te Awamutu – you’re not going anywhere.
The distributor’s got a cover on it called the distributor cap. Now, as you pottle over potholes on Cambridge Road or hit those speed bumps out in Flagstaff, all that shaking and jiggling wears these things out over time. Especially with Hamilton’s weird mix of foggy mornings and those baking, dry afternoons around summer. Moisture gets in, metal bits get corroded, and sometimes the spark jumps to the wrong spot. You might notice burn marks, or even see a bit of arcing where the spark’s decided to take a shortcut. Once that happens, the cap or rotor inside are not doing their job, and it’s time for a fix.
What happens when your distributor’s on the fritz?
Misfiring engine – If lady luck’s not on your side and the distributor’s gone bung, those sparks may not reach every plug. You’ll hear your engine coughing and spluttering, whether you’re heading up Peachgrove Road or crawling through Rototuna after work.
No start at all – Sometimes, we’ll get someone from Morrinsville or Ngaruawahia who heard their engine trying but it just doesn’t catch. Distributor might be completely cooked; no spark getting anywhere. Just a lot of winding over, frustration, and not much else.
Chewing through petrol – Seen it heaps, especially in some of those older European wagons. If the distributor’s not doing its bit and fuel isn’t burning right, you’ll find you’re topping up the tank more – and possibly blowing out heaps of black smoke. Bit stink for the pocket, and not great for your next WOF in Hamilton either.
Rough running or vibrations – Had a Honda Jazz in last week with the owner, she said it felt like the engine was practically bouncing. Turns out, only three out of four cylinders were firing. Sometimes just one bit of the cap’s gone bad.
Distributor repairs and replacements in Hamilton
If your car’s acting up and you reckon the distributor, cap, or rotor could be the problem, bring it in. Doesn’t matter if you’ve got an old Nissan Primera, a Ford Mondeo from down the road in Huntly, or a rare Peugeot RCZ – we see all sorts through here.
One of our techs can hook your car up for a proper look. We’ll check the distributor and the rest of the ignition, let you know what’s up, and sort that repair or replacement if you need it. We keep it straight-up and honest, so you’re not left guessing.
Need a new distributor, or just want someone to sort the weird idle or hard start you’re getting? Give us a shout for car distributor repairs and diagnostics. We’re based right here in Hamilton, ready to help – whether you’re from Raglan, Cambridge, or anywhere else nearby.