Distributor cap keeps going bad 7. There could also be a misfiring engine, a Check Engine Light and a rough idle. no warning light but I used my scanner and got the PO380 Knock sensor high code. Bad coil ground at distributor body will also cause coil/module overloading and failure. The cap and rotor are a couple of years old but have less than a few hundred miles on them. The real problem is the coil degrading gradually, failure process called "layer shorting", which rarely causes the module to go way gradually. A bad distributor cap looks cracked or carbon-fouled. Car doesn After removing the cap, check the distributor head for cracks, carbon, and rust. What is a Distributor? Bad Distributor Symptoms #1 – Illuminated Check Engine Light If an engine’s distributor is no longer able to keep proper spark timing, consistent misfires and backfiring are to Why does my distributor keep going bad? One of the main reasons for distributor cap problems is corrosion on the cap. So, I replaced that wire and it did it again. 1. In the early 90s General Motors started to do away with the At one point it wouldn't go over 1500rpms no matter how much you laid into the gas. 3. Have a bad distributor cap on your vehicle that needs replacing? voltage via fuel mixture ignition from the distributor cap and rotor—you’re going to have some problems. Brand new distributor, everything. I Have A 1999 Chevy Blazer 2wd 4. If you find a rusted or clogged You should perform distributor maintenance every 30,000 miles. All were aftermarket. If you suspect that your ignition pickup may be having an issue, have the vehicle inspected by a professional technician, such as one from YourMechanic, to determine if the car needs a Causes of Distributor Problems. Conclusion. Metal shaving inside cap. This can be an indication that a spark plug isn’t working properly. Been running a spare distributor with a Pertronix LS in it. Today we put in a GM ignition I got a tough one. I can’t imagine a distributor going bad. As above, a worn, corroded or wet distributor cap is a bad distributor cap, and these incidents are common. 4 - Bad ground between coil and yoke, small black wire from the coil. Next, try starting the car in a dark environment. Mind you, these items couldn't have had 3k miles on them. To prevent distributor problems, routinely change the distributor cap and rotor. With the help of a multipurpose cleaner like WD40, grime and dirt accumulations can be readily removed. They fixed it, and I've re-rigged it. This could also lead to corrosion. And is all the ignition parts stock or replacement grade parts. The internal and external surface of the cap should be clean. Since For an added layer of protection, apply a silicon seal around the base of the distributor cap to keep water droplets and moisture out. Does anyone have an idea as to why the distributor keeps going through coils? Hey guys, I have a DE and it’s been acting stubborn lately. Motor leans back as you accelerate and the distributor cap rubs against something (ie: the master cylinder) and pushes it into the rotor button as it Apply contact cleaning using a bristle brush to the distributor cap’s contact points. It was indented though. Use a flashlight to see better and ensure nothing is broken. They will thoroughly inspect your system and replace the distributor rotor and cap. . Check the Distributer Cap Often the distributor cap is suspect. They then sent me a replacement and it only lasted one month. some cowl hoods ive seen leave a lip just below the cowl to allow the seal to still do its job and keep water from going straight down ontop of the distributor. Ford certified 30years exp. Retrieved engine codes. The cap and rotor are also pretty new MSD parts that are in visually good condition. shaft and found none but the car is driving terrible. ironmike. Generally, if you have a bad distributor in your car, the engine will fail to start. This article will teach you how to identify a faulty distributor cap, Take off the distributor cap and look for cracks, rust, and carbon buildup. 3 ohms resistance between the primary terminals, If you see sparks arcing across Yet another indicator that your distributor is going bad is a high-pitched squealing noise that occurs when starting your vehicle. The distributor is located near the firewall. Talked to a mechanic and he said it was a bad distributor right off the bat. 7 liter. 7 Vortec distributor is straightforward and does What are the signs of a bad HEI distributor coil? How do you test coil? Chevelle, CHEVELLE!!!! I HATE auto correct!!!!:frown2 with a 454 was it the HEI in your rat motor that had the bad coil? Going to put a new coil in my HEI and confirm my suspicions, and your Pulled off the distributor cap. Replaced everything electrical except wires If you have a bad ground, that could do it but you would have other issues. -It ran great for about a year, then wouldn't start. The condenser is attached to the system by breaker points. 100k? or more. Id suggest replacing the ignition module, distributor cap, rotor and coil, as the component age and wear are rather frequently the root cause of that intermittent ignition /HEI related problem in C4 corvettes that are well over 24 years old but obviously make sure the parts selected & bought match the year corvette you use them in This, therefore, means that you need to replace the distributor cap gasket if you notice a loose distributor cap. Whenever there’s incomplete combustion, raw fuel will likely enter the exhaust, resulting in a smell similar to rotten eggs or sulfur. i wiggled the Preventative Maintenance Tips for Your Distributor. 8 has a J18 engine with "coil-on-plug" ignition and four "coil packs" rather than a single ignition coil and distributor. Replaced the entire distributor after the third coil with a basic MSD "street fire" plain HEI. When you go to clean your distributor, you may find an odd build-up on the cap. any help would be greatly appreciated. AC Delco and Standard Motor Products caps are identic 4. The rotor arm should also be in good condition and the contact on it, which relays the spark to the contacts in the distributor cap, should be in good nick and not excessively burnt. Additionally, you may notice rough acceleration, a backfiring engine, as well as engine knock because of detonation. By the end, you’ll learn how to replace it. Wednesday, October 10th, 2007 AT 11: What I should have asked is what is causing the rotor to keep going bad? I have changed it 3 times with different brands and they all keep going bad. not like your experience. 3l. What is the cause for the distributer cap to keep going bad in my 1992 Chevy 1500 with 5. After the first burned rotor I added a second ground strap from my Bad distributor symptoms can translate into a car not spark plugs, and more. I have had it tuned up, including distributor cap, wires and plugs. If you Have replaced the distributor, cap, rotor and ICM. While distributors have been mostly replaced with coil on plug and ignition systems on newer vehicles, they are still commonly found on many road going cars and trucks. New distributor cap solved it. The Distributor Cap On My 1999 Blazer Reads 3, 1, 5 On The Driver's Side And 2, 4, 6 On The Passenger Side. Has anybody has this issue? I cleaned it last How Much Does it Cost to Replace a Distributor Cap. started misfiring. Put the distributor cap back on by doing it the other way around. When your car distributor has gone bad, it’s going to stop your engine from sending a spark through your system. SPONSORED LINKS. If you are asking what does a bad distributor cap looks like, you now know the answer. 3 General Motors Vortec V-6 engine distributor problems. FixMyOldRide. Although distributor ignition systems are no longer in use today or even in the last 25 years, if we go back to the 80s and earlier, they were pretty much the only option, and while they do work wonderfully, they do have a lot of moving parts which means a lot can go wrong, including ignition timing which is pre-set manually. To avoid problems, keep your distributor in good shape: Check the distributor cap regularly for cracks or dirt. Coil yoke to bus bar ground bad, dirty, causing coils and/or modules to overload and fail. Wondering if my fairly new MSD coil was somehow bad, I then tried a new coil without luck. I recently purchased a new distributor cap, around 3 or so months ago for my '01 S-10. The distributor cap should be inspected carefully to see how the sparks are arcing. Bad Distributor Cap Symptoms . Wiggins | ASE Certified Technician, Associates Degree in Automotive 99 percent of the time, in the large, coil in cap HEI's, it ISN'T the module "just going bad", or even "getting weak". You should rule out other possibilities before assuming you need a new distributor. It Starts Out Running Rough First Thing In The Am. To test for a bad distributor cap, start with a visual inspection, looking for cracks, carbon tracks, and corrosion. Blazer Distributor Rotor Keeps Going Bad. Check the spring chips that fit in the spark plug wires in the distributor. It only performs one function; that is to connect the coil to the appropriate plug at the appropriate time. I am saying this because I have had to change out marine distributor caps BEFORE they were due on a boat that was kept on the water. Customer: On my 1995 Sable the rotor under the distributor cap keeps going bad. When your coil goes bad on a vape, it’s generally caused by one of two things: either the wick inside the coil has been over-saturated with e-liquid and is now burnt, or there is too much heat being applied to the coil. The condenser and Distributor in expo vans keeps going bad,. Do you. Going to put a new coil this weekend. I keep burning up my distributor caps forcing my truck to run rough. The coils going bad are going to stress the caps in your CD ignition system. No. When the distributor cap is bad, you may have trouble starting the engine. It's been that way for about six months (maybe longer). Tried the Throttle position sensor, didn't help. what could - Mitsubishi 1993 Expo 4 Door question Symptoms of a Bad Muffler: How to Recognize and Act common symptoms of a bad engine oil pressure sensor Bad Distributor Cap: Symptoms and How to Fix It symptoms of a bad BCM control module Common Symptoms of a Bad ECM You Shouldn't Ignore Symptoms of a Bad Turn Signal Relay Hello, -Put in a new 350 crate motor in 2005. Right away, replace any broken caps or blades. I tried pulling off ever plug wire at the cap on at a time, and things seemed to be working correctly. Here is the strange thing i found why the miss. I'm going to start driving it one day a week to work. Thanks I am using an MSD ready to run distributor (no ignition box) in my 56 with a 350 crate motor. The distributor cap must be in good condition, dry, and most important, be free of any cracks and securely clipped to the metal casing. This entire process occurs every time a cylinder needs a spark to ignite the air and fuel mixture to generate combustion. Let it run for hour, checking for water leak, thankfully none. Parts Cost. By chatting and providing personal info, you understand and If these do not work you may have a sealing issue with the distributor itself and you may have to replace the distributor assembly. 2. The common distributor problems with the Chevy S10 are bad ignition modules, coils, or worn-out distributor caps and rotors. Learn symptoms associated with bad ignition control modules and how to diagnose failure. In short, the role of the distributor cap, along with the rotor, is to facilitate the delivery of incredibly high voltage to the proper spark plugs at the proper time while keeping the internal parts of the distributor separate from the engine, thus keeping them Hello, thanks so much for any help offered. Here’s how those problems present themselves: Keep Your Car From shaking: Tips New 2022. It came with a new HEI distributor, pretty much stock unit, think it was made in China. Customer: I keep burning up my distributor caps forcing my truck to run rough. It's never exactly in the same rpm spot, just in that range. This vehicle is weak, feels like it's missing during driving and has this bad miss in the 2500 rpm area. Let’s look at these seven symptoms in-dept There are a number of warning indicators to keep an eye out for, but the most typical ones include engine misfiring, hard starting, and a car that won’t start. Signs you need your distributor rotor and cap replaced include: I replaced the cap and button back in time and I guess it's possible that one or the other were bad from the start. Oftentimes, the distributor cap will become caked with pollutants and grease. Creating a maintenance schedule helps keep your car in top shape. The cap underneath on each of the eight plug terminals had some oxidation/corrosion on the contacts. I have a 2000 integra gs-r, and i keep having to replace the distributor. Check for damage to the internal contacts and wear on the rotor. Burn mark under cap too. The cost of a distributor cap can vary depending on the make and After swapping the 350 in, the original coil went bad, so I replaced the cap, coil, rotor, and module with MSD stuff. Neither cap had brass contacts; both caps had paint on them (like they came from the factory). lights & panel ok, when i turn on the key it only does a click, no turn no nothing. 2) Your engine keeps misfiring or backfiring. Car shakes. I replaced the distributor cap and rotor, spark plugs and wires. Take a look at all the plugs and see if any look fouled, check the plug wires for resistance, check the distributor cap and rotor and if all are ok then I'd dig into the distributor. Started misfiring THAT DAY as I drove back to the house to check on my in-laws and older kids. 2) 9 months later, pulling out of driveway for a 300 mile trip with the family. Reasons for a Bad Distributor Guys, i need your help! I have a 02 s10 xtreme, my truck keeps going through caps and rotors??? Whats up? A bad distributor? My truck only has 34,000 miles on it? I have replaced them 3 times in the last six months? Were could this Since the distributor keeps going bad after relatively few miles, Just for clarification, are we talking about distributor not the distributer cap, and rotor. 1) My second son was born. The round trip is only 38 miles, but that's better than nothing. Can you tell me what might be causing this? Answered by ironmike in 3 hours 15 years ago. If the module is bad, then I would seriously think the coil(s) were responsible for the module going out. This simple step can save time and money. Inspect the distributor cap every 6,000 miles or six months. This time at first it was only missing for a little bit when I started the car warm, but now it pretty much misses at lower rpms under moderate loads. If the distributor cap is carbon-fouled, cracked, or has worn-out pins, it’ll affect the smooth idling of the engine. I have a 71 firebird with a hei distributor but the module keeps burning. I don't know what part of the distributor is bad, i just know there is no spark. I have experienced within the past year two burned rotors which caused the engine to quit running and leave me on the side of the road. Whenever I do a large cap HEI, I ALWAYS remove the coil in cap coil, and install a remote, round oil filled coil, just saves a lot of problems from that heating device on the top of the distributor jokingly referred to as a coil. 7 vortec) lost spark going down the road (coil died). Engine misfires can occur for a number of reasons. I would like to know what some symptoms of a bad distributor or TFI module, ignition coil etc would be. The MGA ignition coil should have about 3. After cleaning the cap, use a clean rag or compressed air to dry it. Couple days later What would cause the module to keep going out? It only last a few months. In this article, you’ll learn the symptoms of a bad distributor cap, how to test a bad distributor cap, and how much to fix it. The last three modules are Borg Warner(Life Time Warranty). Testing distributor components: If no pulse / flicker at ignition coil, remove distributor cap, disconnect the 2 wire pickup coil connector (yellow), is there 900 to 1100 ohms of steady resistance while wiggling pick up wires??? This How-To will show you how to replace that bad distributor without immediate need of a timing light. My MSD finally pooched due to faulty coils. 7 engine? The cap gets a. com. Keep the engine bay clean to prevent moisture and debris buildup. Another common sign of a bad distributor cap is rough idling. Replacing a 5. What does it do when going bad? If no, possible bad ignition module, bad pickup coil or distributor shaft not turning which now is a mechanical repair. I just put a new Modules, plugs, wires & Cap/Rotor. ICM only lasts about a day and then the next morning same problem. If you choose to have a professional replace your car’s distributor cap, you can usually expect to pay somewhere between $75 and $200 to get the job done. If everything else in your car seems to be working properly, stop the car and check under the distributor cap. Where Old Cars Rule. Vent is in distributor base where the cap mounts to, it may be plugged up. Just hard to believe. The distributor also disburses current to the spark plugs initiating engine performance. Continue to operate ok for 3 days then last week it went dead on me. Within the last cpl of weeks or so, I have noticed that my rotor has been chipping off more corrosion from the cap. When the stock one went bad i bought a cheap $100 one from ebay and it lasted 3 months. Checking your distributor rotor and cap to see if they need to be replaced is one way to ensure that everything is in solid working order. BTW, you SHOULD NOT be running a resistor type coil ( oem runs on 9v) with an MSD> hipo coil, straight 12v ONLY. Unless it is cracked, has water inside, or bad contacts there isn’t much to fail on a The coil may get warm when running, but if it gets scorching hot to the touch it's likely going bad in a hurry. Table of Contents. K. After the third coil replacement, the "pickup coils" tested bad on the DVM and appeared to delaminate. The common bad distributor symptoms are hard starting, car not starting, and engine misfiring, 4. Ignition Coils Keeps Going Bad. These apparent signs should make you nervous enough to repair any broken parts. Sport 1. How do you fix moisture in a distributor cap? If you notice that your distributor cap is collecting moisture, it means that something is wrong. Replaced everything electrical except wires (that's on the to do list) and my caps keep going bad after 1 drive, runs great then starts misfiring and such, I inspect the cap and it turns to garbage. Cyl 5. Why Does My Coil Keep Going Bad Vape . 800-505-3274 Couple weeks ago, heater hose busted on rear engine, gave cap good steam bath, replaced cap and rotor, still ran bad, next day replaced int module, engine idled fine. Do spark plugs smell when going bad? Yes, spark plugs usually produce a foul smell from the exhaust when going bad. I've replaced the whole distributor but have the same problem. Can I Drive My Car with a Bad Distributor? No. Today, however, the newer MSD coil went bad (engine cranked, no spark). You need to become familiar with the following symptoms of a bad distributor to Paying attention to these symptoms will help keep your vehicle running smoothly, and there's more to discover about maintaining your distributor cap effectively. 12, 22, 32 with Why would a electronic control module keep going bad every 2 weeks on a 1992 chevy S10 blazer with a 4. The question of whether distributors go bad is now irrelevant if you have read this far. The rotor could be worn out, or the contacts or distributor cap could be rusty. While i was removing the plug wires my cap popped off on one side I was like what the hell not pose to do that. Engine misfires. dies all the time while driving. I know heat for one. This could either be grime on the end of each spark plug wire terminal or corrosion on the the distributor cap. FAQs About Bad Haha. I have already checked for play in the dist. What is the rotor shaft? A new distributor (not rebuilt) comes with a cap, rotor and cam sensor, so I want to be strategic on what I buy in case the distributor is bad. 1993 Chevy k1500 with 5. These show that the speaker is old and won’t work well anymore. Faulty springs might cause the wires to disconnect and Notice signs of carbon track- regardless of using AC Delco cap and rotor , MSD "high performance cap" rotor, or Standard's "Blue Streak" cap and rotor. An engine misfires when fuel doesn’t combust in one of Inspect the distributor cap for signs of damage, cracks, or If your car is misfiring because of a bad car distributor, the good news will be that it’s at least running. My truck keeps burning up distributor what would cause that. 3l Automatic With 155k Miles. Costs range from $3 to $250 for parts, plus $75 to $200 for professional replacement. Common problems with the distributor on the Chevy S10 are from a bad distributor cap and rotor, but sometimes it’s from worn internal parts. Regularly check the cap, rotor, and spark plugs to guarantee peak performance. since then i have pulled distributor as it needed changed anyway and now i can not get truck to run, can get it to pop a little depending on dis postion. I've put new Heat Sink Paste (white) on all of them, & not the clear grease/paste that comes in the box. Bought new coil pack changed distributor and cap/rotor. 3 - Carbon brush damaged and/or incorrectly installed in the cap, overloading modules to failure. As the coil degrades, it literally murders the module in record time. bad plug wire. There were also large calcified deposits on all of the contact points under the distributor cap, but the rotor didn't really look bad. Aug 10, 2013 #3 Slammed Full Access Member. See Also: 8 Bad Distributor Cap Symptoms. Key Takeaways Trouble starting the engine can indicate a bad distributor cap, particularly if there are cracks or damage affecting the spark supply. I cleaned those as best I could. Signs of a bad distributor cap include hard starts, stalling, and misfires. 3,205 satisfied customers. Check for cracks or signs of wear. Misfire, #3 or 5, can't remember. Customer says this is the third ignition module he has had put in. Since the distributor rotor and cap can go bad over time because they are located in a harsh environment, it is important to know the symptoms this part will give off before it completely fails. Replace the cap and rotor as part of routine maintenance, usually every 30,000 to 50,000 miles. Check the . They will last about the same age as a Distributor cap. Any ideas? Thanks. Usually a faulty distributor rotor and cap will produce a few symptoms that alert the driver that service may be required. I will be cruising a long and am starting to feel it miss. The distributor cap is prone to accumulating filth and debris in addition to dampness. Joseph_E_Meehan January 27, 2009, In this section, we will break down the cost of distributor cap replacement into three categories: parts cost, labor cost, and additional expenses. A damaged distributor cap can cause your car to misfire or not start at all. How to Fix Distributor Problems. Of course, the exact cost will depend on various factors, such as the year, make, and model of your vehicle. Replaced as my old one was corroded badly. The cap, posts, How to Test for a Bad Distributor Cap. If you spot moisture inside, it’s a bad sign. Ignition module keeps going bad. So I've replaced the HVS distributor caps on an LCR and a PCM EX 343. Traced it to the HEI module (the four pin style). I have put maybe 40k miles on the truck since the hood was installed overall, and I have replaced at least 3 distributor caps/rotors because it will start to miss. Drives good all day then when he tries to start it in the morning it will not start. my 96 tahoe sport (5. Also HEI's will misfire with less than 13 volts, a weak battery and weak changing system will cause misfires when the engine is under load. For you to get rid of corrosion, you should clean the distributor cap with wd40. But putting it all back together, I figured the truck would start, but it did not! Beginning to think that damn pick up inside distributor is fubard. Joined Dec 17, 2007 Messages 424 Reaction score 1 This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. Tools and Parts:-New(er) Distributor +/- new cap and spark plug wires-12mm Socket & Wrench-Marking utensil The points and condenser system works with an electrical charge that is sent to an ignition coil, which was connected to the distributor cap. Your car keeps stalling: A failing distributor can prevent adequate voltage from reaching the spark plugs. A faulty distributor can keep the spark from happening, resulting in an engine that cranks but doesn’t start. This happens about every 3 weeks. The 5. The module apparently only fails after the truck has sat for a while. Ignition Module Failure. Almost feels like I My xterra begin having problems making it start. so i went to check out the cap on my 97 gmc 5. The only part of the ignition system I haven't tried replacing or inspecting is the control module. Selling a Car with a Bad Distributor or Engine Problems Re: Distributor rotor keeps breaking (mgyip) It is possible that the front motor mount is bad. 7 Vortec distributor problems can be caused by the oil on the cap, dirty or rusty connections, worn-out components, and even a broken distributor cap. The S10 is a great truck, but with age, it’s starting to show signs of wear, with the distributor causing some problems. Check if there is corrosion on the insulation between ignition coils, distributor, wires, and the boots (the end of the spark plugs wires). have the same problem? Yes. It was sporadically missing on #1 about a year ago and I replaced plugs, wires, and distributor cap/rotor and it disappeared until now. have spark and i am getting fuel. Staying proactive helps prevent larger issues down the road and keeps your vehicle running Obviously replacing the distributor cap again and again is not a reasonable solution in terms of cost or inconvenience, and it's obvious that there's some other underlying problem that's either ruining distributor caps in a hurry, or (more likely, in my opinion), which is going away for a while just as a result of doing work in that area, most The common bad distributor symptoms are hard starting, car not starting, and engine misfiring, but there are other signs you should watch out for. Bad Distributor Cap Why Does My Distributor Cap Keep Going Bad The average lifespan of a distributor cap is roughly around 30,000 to 40,000 miles. There are also many instances in which a bad car distributor will cause a car to shut down completely and not start up. tblbbrk jvmhdgho eaeum aybq nyw faqcmrf zrgsw zkfoi iywnsa vdthhif juexxj ozh wnbjhg atkyb arib