Repair And Fix it

The ignition system in your car takes the spark generated by the distributor pickup coil and sends it through the plug wires to the spark plugs at just the right time. With this in mind, the pickup coil is a vital part of the ignition system.

Definition

The distributor shaft is typically turned by a gear on the bottom of the shaft. This gear is turned either by a timing belt, a timing chain or directly by the camshaft. The pickup coil is around this shaft, generally under the distributor rotor. The pickup coil is an electromagnetic sensor.

Function

On the distributor shaft there is a raised metal "tongue." This tongue passes by the pickup coil each time the distributor rotates. This causes the pickup coil to send a signal to the ignition control module, letting it know where the distributor is in its rotation. This corresponds with where the motor is in the compression cycle. The control module then knows when to send spark to the coil.

Options

Modern vehicles usually have a camshaft position sensor or a crankshaft position sensor and sometimes both. These work on the same principle as the pickup coil; but because they are located directly beside the crankshaft and the camshaft, they are more accurate. In newer vehicles these sensors also help time fuel delivery through the injection system, making them more efficient.

The distributor cap is the cover that protects the distributor and provides a spot for each spark plug wire coming from each spark plug in the cylinders. The distributor spins underneath the cap, sending a bolt of electricity to each point on the distributor cap. The electricity then travels through the wires to the spark plugs. In the 1991 Accord, the distributor is a round shape and has four spots for spark plug wires, since it came with a standard four-cylinder engine.

Instructions

1

Prepare the old distributor cap for removal by unplugging the 2-P and 8-P connectors connected to it. Unplug the two hoses going to the advance diaphragm if your Honda Accord uses a carburetor instead of fuel injection. Loosen the three hold-down bolts on the distributor cap, leaving the spark plug wires plugged into it.

2

Coat the O-ring from the new distributor cap with motor oil using your finger. This is done so that the ring goes in smoothly and doesnt tear from friction.

3

Take the old distributor cap off of the cylinder head, and slide the new distributor cap on in its place. Make sure that the three hold-down bolts are lined up with their respective holes.

4

Unplug the spark plug wires from the old distributor cap, and plug them into the new distributor cap using the same position. If your wires are already unplugged, plug the wire coming from cylinder 1 into the spot marked with an "A" on the distributor cap. From there, proceed clockwise plugging in the wires from cylinders 3, 4, and 2 in that order.

5

Tighten the hold-down bolts, and reconnect the 2-P and 8-P connectors to the distributor cap. Make sure the two vacuum hoses going to the advance diaphragm are also plugged in to complete the installation. If you need to, you can test and adjust the timing of the motor before tightening the hold-down bolts on the distributor cap.