4 Signs You Need to Replace Your Vehicle's Distributor Cap

Distributor caps are uncommon in newer vehicles, but they remain a vital part of many older models. Though it doesn't sound like such an important part, your vehicle won't be able to run without its distributor cap. This is the part responsible for transferring electricity to your engine's spark plugs, and that needs to happen whenever cylinders require a spark to create combustion.

Unfortunately, distributor caps don't last forever. They can develop clogs, cracks, and corrosion, or they can simply wear out. When that happens, you'll need to have your distributor cap replaced as soon as possible.

Here are just four commons signs a distributor cap is in trouble.

1. Trouble Starting

It doesn't matter how powerful your engine is — if its combustion chambers don't receive that vital spark, the engine isn't going to run. This can happen for several reasons, with a faulty distributor cap being one of the most common. At first, you'll probably just find it harder to start the vehicle. This can be easy to ignore when it only happens now and then, but the issue is only going to grow worse until the vehicle cannot be started at all.

2. Frequent Stalling

Even if a vehicle with a worn distributor cap gets going, it's unlikely to run smoothly. If the distributor cap is at fault, the rotors in your engine won't rotate properly. This can cause frequent stalling. Again, this is a problem that is going to become more pronounced as time passes, so you should see a mechanic without delay if you experience frequent stalling.

3. Rough Ride

When your distributor cap starts to go bad, you may find your vehicle shaking when you start up or change gears. In some cases, vibrations can become so strong that you feel them through the front seats. Distributor cap problems can also cause a rough ride while idling. This often occurs when the cap's housing is cracked or its terminals are burnt out. This causes an engine to skip cylinders in its normal firing order, which is going to produce significant roughness while idling.

4. Backfiring

Vehicles backfire when a mistimed explosion occurs either in an engine cylinder or in the exhaust system. Backfires can be quite loud, so you'll certainly notice this sign of a bad distributor cap. This will be more likely to occur while your vehicle is coasting, and it probably means your distributor cap has developed a serious crack. There are several other reasons why this might be happening, including a bad ignition coil or worn spark plugs, but all such issues demand attention as soon as possible.

For more information, contact a company like Balyang Motors.