Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.

Distributor Replacement




Removal Procedure

NOTICE: If the distributor is removed from the engine, It can be re-installed using "procedure A" as long as the crankshaft has not rotated from the original position. If the intake manifold, cylinder head, crankshaft, camshaft, timing gear or complete engine was removed or replaced, "Procedure B" must be followed in order to correctly install the distributor. A DTC code may also indicate an incorrectly installed distributor and engine or distributor damage may occur. Procedure B must then be used.

1. Turn OFF the ignition switch.
2. Remove the spark plug and the ignition coil wires from distributor cap.
3. Remove the three-wire hall effect switch connector from the base of the distributor.
4. Remove the two screws holding the distributor cap to the housing.






5. Remove the distributor cap.
A. Use a grease pencil in order to note the position of the rotor in relation to the distributor housing. Identify the mark with the number 1.
B. Mark the distributor housing and the intake manifold with a grease pencil for proper alignment when reinstalling.
6. Remove the mounting clamp hold down bolt.
7. Remove the distributor.






8. As the distributor is being removed from the engine, you will notice the rotor move in a counter-clockwise direction about 42 degrees. This will appear as slightly more than one clock position. Noting the position of the rotor segment by placing a second mark on the base of the distributor will aid in achieving proper rotor alignment during the distributor installation. Identify the second mark on the distributor housing at number 2.

Installation Procedure A

1. Remove the new distributor cap.






2. If installing a new distributor assembly, place two marks on the new distributor housing in the same location as the two marks on the original housing.
3. When installing the distributor, align the rotor with mark made at location 2..






4. Guide the distributor into place, making sure the mounting hole in the distributor hold down base is aligned over the mounting hole in the intake manifold.
5. As the distributor is being installed, you will notice the rotor will move in a clockwise direction about 42 degrees.
6. Once the distributor is completely seated, the rotor segment should be aligned with mark on the base in location number 1. If the rotor segment is not aligned with the number 1 mark, the gear teeth of the distributor and the camshaft have meshed one or more teeth out of time. In order to correct the condition, remove the distributor and reinstall it.
7. Install the cap and the mounting screws. Do not overtighten as they may strip.

Tighten
Tighten the distributor cap screws to 5 Nm (45 lb in).

NOTICE: Use the correct fasteners in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces inless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.

8. Install the distributor clamp bolt.

Tighten
Tighten the distributor clamp bolt to to 27 Nm (20 lb ft).

NOTICE: Use the correct fasteners in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces inless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.

9. Install the three wire hall effect switch connector to the base of the distributor.
10. Install the spark plug and the ignition coil wires to the distributor cap.

Important: If a check engine light is illuminated after installing the distributor and a DTC P1345 is found, the distributor has been installed incorrectly. Refer to procedure B for proper distributor installation.

Installation Procedure B

1. Rotate the number 1 cylinder up to Top Dead Center (TDC) of the compression stroke.
2. Remove the distributor cap screws and the distributor cap to expose the rotor.






3. Align the pre-drilled indent hole in the distributor driven gear with the white alignment line on the lower portion of the shaft housing.






4. The rotor should point to the cap hold down mount nearest the flat side of the housing.





5. Using a long screw driver, align the oil pump drive shaft to the drive tab of the distributor.
6. Guide the distributor in place, ensuring that the spark plug towers are perpendicular to the centerline of engine.
7. Once the distributor is fully seated, the rotor segment should be aligned with the pointer cast into the distributor base. This pointer will have a 6 or 8 cast into it, indicating that the distributor is to be used on a 6 or 8 cylinder engine. If the rotor segment does not come within a few degrees of the pointer, the gear mesh between the distributor and the camshaft may be off a tooth or more. If this is the case, repeat the procedure again in order to achieve proper alignment.