Changing your distributor cap

Before you start.

Read the safety information on the maintenance page.

Distributor caps help to distribute power to the spark plugs in sequence. Because they have moving parts they wear out.

Step 1.

Locate the distributor cap. It will have 5, 7 or 9 leads coming from it, depending on how many cylinders your car has. One lead will go to the coil, the others will go to the spark plugs

Step 2.

Orientate the new distributor cap the same way the old one is on top of the distributor. One by one, remove the leads from the old cap and place them in the same position on the new cap. It is very important that you don't mix them up or put them in different spots.

Step 3.

Once you have all of the leads moved over, remove the old distributor cap. You may be able to remove the side fasteners by hand, but a screw driver can help lever them aside.

Step 4.

Use a bit of sand paper to gently clean the distributor head. Just wipe across it two or three times with gentle but firm pressure. Alternatively wipe it down with a tissue dipped in petrol then a dry tissue.

Step 5.

Place the new distributor cap in place. Press it down firmly. Then close the fasteners. You may need a screw driver to help place them in place. It should not be too hard to do.

© 2007 - 2008 Romana S. This text is copyright. The ideas and concepts are not. Feel free to link to it, but if you want to put it on another web site ask for permission to do so in the forum. Not for release on commercial web sites or Wikipedia or Wikibooks.
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