Distributor question - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

phatboy5015 · 09-09-2008, 10:47 AM

Last week my truck decided that it wouldn't crank. I narrowed it down to the distributor (was getting fuel and spark from the coil). So I took the distributor cap off and didn't see anything wrong, so I put it back on. Then the truck cranked up and ran fine.

Then, this morning, it did it again. But instead of taking the cap off again, I just lightly tapped on it. When I tapped on it, I heard something click. The click sounded like it was coming from the distributor...

So, my question is: What is the problem? Obviously, I'm almost certain that I need a new distributor, but I don't wanna spend $200 without getting some second opinions first..

phatboy5015 · 09-09-2008, 10:17 PM

nobody?

cd_god · 09-10-2008, 02:12 PM

Did you check for spark at the plugs when it did not start or just off of the coil? When you have the distributor cap off how did the rotor tip and terminals on the cap look corrosion wise? Is the distributor cap making good contact with the center of the rotor?

denniswoo · 09-10-2008, 02:36 PM

check that there are no black lines or spots at each plug tower inside and outside the cap.also check the insulation where the wires go through the distributor for shorting or ground.

phatboy5015 · 09-10-2008, 04:55 PM

Thanks guys. I guess I'm gonna have to take the cap back off and look for the things yall listed.

cd_god · 09-10-2008, 08:53 PM

Did you hear a click with the key on or off when you tapped the distributor? When I couldn't get mine to start after my engine swap I had to pull the distributor about 80 times (literally, unfortunately) and a couple of times the key was on and when the distributor was just about back into the head I could hear a relay or something click which leads me to believe that something in the distributopr grounds through the distributor (unless I screwed up some grounds putting the engine in) Make sure the distributor is tight, surface area against the head is clean, and if it does it again try grounding the distributor shaft to a good ground and see if that fixes the problem.

Rickisan · 09-10-2008, 10:25 PM

Sounds like a major intermittant connection somewhere in the main current to the distributor (duh). I think you knew that already. Are the wires old? Especially the wire going to the center of the distributor and the circuit feeding that center wire, the coil, etc.

Also, since the problem is electrical it would be in the replaceable parts of the distributor. Probably won't have to replace the whole distributor to fix it.

Oh yeah that thing in the center of the distributor that goes around and around... can't remember the name. Maybe it is the problem. The rotor that's it yeah... the rotor. If it's badly corroded oxidized blackened etc it may be the intemttant point of failure.

phatboy5015 · 09-11-2008, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rickisan

Sounds like a major intermittant connection somewhere in the main current to the distributor (duh). I think you knew that already. Are the wires old? Especially the wire going to the center of the distributor and the circuit feeding that center wire, the coil, etc.

Also, since the problem is electrical it would be in the replaceable parts of the distributor. Probably won't have to replace the whole distributor to fix it.

Oh yeah that thing in the center of the distributor that goes around and around... can't remember the name. Maybe it is the problem. The rotor that's it yeah... the rotor. If it's badly corroded oxidized blackened etc it may be the intemttant point of failure.

Rotor, cap, and plug wires (and coil wire) were fine... So must be something more expensive (

).