Distributor Replacement

REMOVAL PROCEDURE

NOTE: There are two procedures available to install the distributor.

Use Installation Procedure 1 when the crankshaft has NOT been rotated from the original position.

Use Installation Procedure 2 when any of the following compartments are removed:
^ The intake manifold
^ The cylinder head
^ The camshaft
^ The timing chain or sprockets
^ The complete engine

If the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) turns on and DTC P1345 sets after installing the distributor, this indicates an incorrectly installed distributor.

Engine damage or distributor damage may occur. Use Procedure 2 in order to install the distributor.
1. Turn OFF the ignition.
Remove air cleaner assembly replacement.
Remove the spark plug wires from the distributor cap
^ Twist each spark plug goof 1/2 turn.
^ Pull only on the wire goof in order to remove the wire from the distributor cap.
2. Remove the electrical connector from the base of the distributor.

3. Remove the two screws that hold the distributor cap to the housing.
4. Discard the screws.
5. Remove the distributor cap from the housing.

6. Use a grease pencil in order to note the position of the rotor in relation to the distributor housing (1).
7. Mark the distributor housing and the intake manifold with a grease pencil.

8. Remove the mounting clamp hold down bolt.
9. Remove the distributor.

10. As the distributor is being removed from the engine, watch the rotor move in a counter-clockwise direction about 42 degrees.
11. Note the position of the rotor segment.
12. Place a second mark on the base of the distributor (2).
This will aid in achieving proper rotor alignment during the distributor installation.

INSTALLATION PROCEDURE 1

1. 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.
2. Align the rotor with the second mark (2).

3. Guide the distributor into the engine.
4. Align the hole in the distributor hold-down clamp over the mounting hole in the intake manifold.

5. As the distributor is being installed, observe the rotor moving in a clockwise direction about 42 degrees.

IMPORTANT: If the rotor segment is not aligned with the number 1 mark, the driven gear teeth and the camshaft have meshed one or more teeth out of alignment. In order to correct this condition, remove the distributor and reinstall it.

6. Once the distributor is completely seated, the rotor segment should be aligned with the mark on the distributor base (1).

NOTE: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.

7. Install the distributor mounting clamp bolt.

Tighten
Tighten the distributor clamp bolt to 25 N.m (18 lb ft).

8. Install the distributor cap.
9. Install two new distributor cap screws.

Tighten
Tighten the screws to 2.4 N.m (21 lb in).

10. Install the electrical connector to the distributor.
11. Install the spark plug wires to the distributor cap.

12. Install the ignition coil wire.
Note the correct orientation of the wire goof.

IMPORTANT: If the Malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) is turned ON after installing the distributor, and a DTC P1345 is found, the distributor has been installed incorrectly.

13. Refer to Installation Procedure 2 if MIL is turned ON after installing the distributor.

INSTALLATION PROCEDURE 2

IMPORTANT: Rotate the number 1 cylinder to top dead center (TDC) of the compression stroke. The engine front cover has 2 alignment tabs and the crankshaft balancer has 2 alignment marks (spaced 90 degrees apart) which are used for positioning number 1 piston at top dead center (TDC). With the piston on the compression stroke and at top dead center, the crankshaft balancer alignment mark (1) must align with the engine front cover tab (2) and the crankshaft balancer alignment mark (4) must align with the engine front cover tab (3).

1. Rotate the crankshaft balancer clockwise until the alignment marks on the crankshaft balancer are aligned with the tabs on the engine front cover and the number 1 piston is at top dead center of the compression stroke.

2. Align white paint mark on the bottom stem of the distributor, and the pre-drilled indent hole in the bottom of the gear (3).

NOTE: The ignition system distributor driven gear and rotor may be installed in multiple positions. In order to avoid mistakes, mark the distributor on the following compartments in order to ensure the same mounting position upon reassembly:
^ The distributor driven gear
^ The distributor shaft
^ The rotor holes
Installing the driven gear 180 degrees out of alignment, or locating the rotor in the wrong holes, will cause a no-start condition. Premature engine wear or damage may result.

3. With the gear in this position, the rotor segment should be positioned as shoran for a V6 engine.

4. Using a long screw driver, align the oil pump drive shaft to the drive tab of the distributor.
5. Guide the distributor into the engine. Ensure that the spark plug towers are perpendicular to the centerline of the engine.

6. Once the distributor is fully seated, the rotor segment should be aligned with the pointer cast into the distributor base.
^ This pointer may have a 6 cast into it, indicating that the distributor is to be used on a 6 cylinder engine or a 8 cast into it, indicating that the distributor is to be used on a 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.

NOTE: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.

7. Install the distributor mounting clamp bolt.

Tighten
Tighten the distributor clamp bolt to 25 N.m (18 lb ft).

12. Install the ignition coil wire.
Note the correct orientation of the wire goof.

IMPORTANT: If the MIL is turned ON after installing the distributor, and a DTC P1345 is found, the distributor has been installed incorrectly.

13. Repeat Installation Procedure 2 if MIL is turned ON after installing the distributor.