Distributor: Description and Operation

Ignition Distributor:

The distributor, mounted to the left front side of the engine, directs high voltage from the ignition coil to the spark plugs in proper sequence (firing order). To accomplish this, a rotor on the driven shaft acts as a rotary contact, directing ignition coil voltage to each spark plug terminal as it turns inside the distributor cap.

Inside the distributor, a pick-up coil/igniter assembly is mounted to the breaker plate. A signal rotor on the driven shaft turns past the pick-up coil, triggering the igniter to interrupt the coil primary ground connection each time a spark plug is to fire. A separate pick-up coil generates a signal ("G" signal) utilized by the ECU to calculate fuel injection timing and ignition timing.