What is a distributor in a car, what is it for? Repair and replacement

Distributor

- ignition distributor, a mechanism designed to create high-voltage pulses in the ignition system in order to distribute the ignition among the cylinders.
In other words, the task of the distributor is to supply a spark in the selected sequence to the spark plugs of different cylinders synchronously with the operation of the camshaft. photo gallery:
These devices are used in gasoline carburetor engines. Diesel engines do not have an ignition system, and injection systems do not use a breaker.

What is this detail?

A distributor is a part of a car engine that runs on fuel such as gasoline. We are talking about an internal combustion engine, and not some other one. So, it is the distributor that is responsible for the timely provision of an electric pulse to the spark plugs, as a result of which the discharge of the latter is ensured and further ignition of the fuel in the chamber where the pistons are located directly.

In other words, a distributor is an ignition distributor in a car. Which is responsible for getting a spark at the right time. It is worth saying that such a part is available on almost all internal combustion engines. The only thing is that the latter may not be located in the same way and its functionality may differ slightly from one another.

It is also impossible not to take into account the fact that diesel car engines do not have an ignition system, just as injection cars do not have a breaker. For a better understanding, it is worth understanding the structure and principle of operation of the distributor, with which we will now try to approach this issue in more detail.

Octane corrector

This device allows you to mechanically change the OZ depending on the fuel used (octane number) or its quality. You can see the corrector in the figure below.

In fact, these are two plates, one is installed on the distributor and has an arrow, the other is attached to the engine, and there are marks on it. By changing their position in relation to each other, you can mechanically set the desired ignition angle. This is required mainly when using different types of gasoline.

Non-contact systems and a Hall sensor in the distributor The distributor described above is a classic option and has been used for many years on all cars, including the VAZ family, such as 2109, 2106, 2107, 2108. However, as electronics developed, voltage switches began to appear , in which the breaker signal was used not to switch the ignition coil, but to control the electronics. Later, the distributor lost its mechanical breaker and was replaced by a Hall sensor.

The Hall sensor used has a fairly simple design. Yes, it must be recalled that the Hall sensor is an element that responds to a magnetic field. Therefore, the design of the sensor using Hall elements is based on this principle. To do this, a Hall sensor is located directly on the plate, on the other side there is a permanent magnet, and between them there is a rotating metal screen in which special slots are made.

When the screen blocks the field from the installed magnet, the Hall sensor has zero voltage at the output; when windows are opened instead of a solid screen, the Hall sensor generates a high voltage at the output. The distributor transmits this generated sequence of pulses to the voltage switch, and it controls the ignition coil.

At one time, a similar system was implemented in many cars, VAZ 2109, 2106, 2107, 2108 were no exception.

Ignition distributor device


The non-contact type distributor device includes a set of certain elements:
1. Rotor or so-called distributor drive. Which is often represented by a splined shaft that engages with a camshaft gear or a shaft. The difference depends on the design of the motor.

2. Ignition coil, which has a double factory winding.

3. There is also a breaker; there is a cam clutch, as well as a centrifugal clutch and a contact group.

4. A slider that is attached directly to the clutch shaft and rotates when working with it. There is also a distributor cap. It is from this that the high-voltage wiring goes to all the spark plugs.

5. Vacuum-type ignition timing advance regulator. A capacitor is also included in its circuit. It functions as a “lightning rod”, since it is it that takes on a little charge, protecting the group of contacts from melting under the influence of high voltage.

6. Depending on the type of distributor, an octane corrector can also be installed in the lower part of the structure, which controls the speed of revolutions, depending on the brand of gasoline. Have you ever heard of the concept of octane number? This is what it is, only in the classic versions its correction is done with your own hands.

How should the distributor be installed correctly?

The dismantled or new device must be put back in place correctly. Installation is carried out taking into account that the distributor exposure is set correctly.

How should the distributor be installed?

First of all, the distribution is set so that the OZ is completely close to the desired indicator. This will make it possible to start the power plant.

As for the nuances of installing the distributor:

  • The pistons of the 1st and 4th cylinders of the power plant are set to TDC.

To be able to set the pistons to TDC, you should turn the crankshaft clockwise until the marks on the distributor device and the timing cover match. In addition, the marks of the clutch housing and the cabinet must coincide with each other.

Be sure to know that when installing a distributor, the contact position of the slider is of great importance. It is placed on the terminal of the armored wire of the 1st cylinder. This is easy to do if you place the cap on the distributor and find the output mark for the 1st cylinder.

Before installing the distributor on the power plant, the distributor cuff must be lubricated and then only placed on the studs. It must be taken into account that the protrusions on the distributor shaft must fit into the slot at the end of the camshaft.

Installation of UOZ

The distributor is not fully fixed, since the SPD has not yet been installed. It is necessary to rotate the distributor until this angle is set correctly. Only after this will it be possible to put the cover back in place and tighten the fasteners.

What is the operating principle?


How does a car distributor work? Everything is banal and simple. When you turn the key in the car, the electrical circuit is closed and voltage is then supplied from the battery directly to the starter. After that, such a starter part as bendix provides engagement with the crankshaft flywheel, and from there the supply continues to the ignition distribution roller drive gear.

A low-voltage current appears on the coil as the circuit closes. This is where the contacts of the breaker are separated and the high-voltage voltage accumulates on the second circuit of the same coil. Then the resulting current goes to the cover due to the graphite contact or brush located in the lower part of the part.

At the same time, the slider is constantly in contact with the central electrode and, when rotating, distributes part of the voltage alternately to the contact of each of the spark plugs. In other words, the voltage is divided equally among all four spark plugs. This is how the general operating principle of the distributor works.

Subtleties of work


Among other things, it is worth knowing important subtleties in the work that the distributor provides. So, for example, it is very important to take into account the fact that the vacuum regulator is inextricably linked with the intake manifold and tube, the so-called throttle space.

This means that it is sensitive to the mode of air supply to the engine and changes the ignition timing itself. The spark is supplied to the cylinder a little earlier and ahead of schedule. In this case, detonation will occur at the moment of gasoline injection into the combustion chamber, thereby pushing the piston down. Of course, Uzbek indicators will change.

Adjustment methods

In general, system adjustment is carried out in three stages. The first includes adjusting the angle of the closed state of the contacts. Keep in mind that it depends directly on the size of the gap in the contacts of the distributor. The second stage includes setting the angle at which the ignition advance occurs, and the third stage allows you to check and correct the results obtained

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It is necessary to pay special attention to the fact that all results must be clarified directly during the ride.

Adjustment will be needed if you use a classic or transistor ignition system in your car. In order to get started, you will first need to remove the cover covering the ignition distributor of the VAZ 2106. If your VAZ 2106 has a classic system installed, then before you begin the adjustment process, clean all the supplied contacts and check the care with which they fit to each other.

If you notice any deviations, carefully put the system in order by bending the necessary places in the contacts. Next, turn the crankshaft so that the maximum permissible distance is formed between the contacts of the VAZ 2106 distributor. Then unscrew the screw that secures the group; it is located on the bearing plate. And insert the probe, the thickness of which is 0.5 mm. Move the contacts so that it can move with little force.

Hall Sensor

As you probably already understood, the rotation of parts actually begins to wear them out and malfunctions appear. But an injection engine or even the most modern carburetor engines do not have a slider; instead, a hall sensor is used. Here the device is slightly different and the distribution process is carried out due to the resulting magnetic field.

Of course, such a system is considered to be of higher quality, and there will be less space under your favorite hood. In the most modern cars with an injector and distributed injection, a more modern electronic non-contact type ignition system is used.

A distinctive feature of such a device is that all operating modes are monitored by different sensors. It is from them that all signals are sent to the electronic control unit, and after that the same command action goes to the ignition system switches.

Important

The ignition distributor is a simple and completely manually disassembled unit. You can always easily disconnect it, remove it from your car, disassemble it into parts and find the cause and eliminate it by replacing the faulty part.

Advantages of BSZ

The task of the ignition system is to provide the ignition spark with sufficient energy at the right moment to ignite the fuel mixture. The more accurately this process is performed, the greater the engine's power and efficiency. Correctly set ignition allows you to increase engine power, reduce fuel consumption and emissions of harmful substances.

In recent years and decades, these goals have become increasingly relevant. The contact ignition system could not cope with the demands placed on it. The maximum transmitted energy required to ignite the working mixture could not be increased, although this was necessary for engines with high compression and power, the rotation speed of which became increasingly higher.

In addition, due to constant wear of the contacts, it is not possible to ensure exact compliance with the specified ignition moment. This caused interruptions in engine operation, increased fuel consumption and emissions of harmful substances into the atmosphere.

Thanks to the development of electronics, it was possible to initiate the ignition process without contact, thereby solving wear and maintenance problems. In this case, the specified ignition timing is precisely maintained throughout almost the entire service life.

First of all, this is achieved thanks to inductive signal formation (contactless transistor ignition system with energy storage in inductance) and signal formation by a Hall sensor (TSZ-h).

Because both of these systems are economical and relatively inexpensive, they are still used today on some small engines.

The main advantages of a contactless ignition system:

  • no wear or maintenance,
  • constant ignition moment,
  • absence of contact bounce and, as a consequence, the possibility of increasing the rotation speed,
  • regulation of energy storage and limitation of primary current,
  • higher secondary voltage of the ignition system
  • DC switch off.

The most common problems

The fact that something is not working correctly in the distributor can be determined by certain signs. So, for example, if there is a spark on the central wire, and there is no spark on the spark plug wires, we can talk about a gap in the integrity of the slider. In this case you will notice:

1. That the car jerks while moving.

2. That the functionality of the engine at idle is very unstable.

3. That the engine does not start at all.

4. That a distinct knocking sound of the piston fingers is heard as the speed increases;

5. That the speed gain has become less;

6. That gasoline consumption has increased.

Causes of malfunction


The distributor may fail for the following common reasons: the slider is burnt out, the piston is stuck, the cover is broken or the contacts under the cover are closed, the sensor is broken, the shaft bearings are faulty, and so on.

Most often, such unpleasant moments will require replacement. But there is also a pleasant moment: more often than not the entire distributor as a whole needs replacement, but only a failed part. And this will certainly cost much less in terms of the amount of payment to the master.

As you can see, there can be a lot of reasons. But in any case, this often happens because the car owner pays very little attention to his iron horse.

Pollution usually occurs every 10 thousand kilometers. Therefore, checks are needed precisely at the specified kilometer rolled.

Even an owner uninitiated in the subtleties of the car’s functionality can visually assess the condition of the slider, contacts and roof and judge the operation of the distributor as a whole. But what about the hall sensor?

In models of non-contact operating principle, inductive and hall sensors often fly. To diagnose the ignition systems and the distributor itself, it is worth tracing the spark on a spark plug that was turned out in advance, while first starting the engine. In a garage environment, you can also arrange a check. To do this, you will need measuring instruments or conventional indicators.

The distributor capacitor can also be included among the spare parts that are out of service. It helps increase the voltage on the spark plugs when the engine starts. You can easily check it by disconnecting it and touching the ground. When you hear a clear crackling sound and the voltage drops, the capacitor is alive, but if this does not happen, the part will have to be sent for replacement.

How the distributor works and how it works


This mechanism includes many components for various purposes. The main ones among them are the following:

  • rotor - provides traction with the rotating camshaft gears;
  • breaker - a module with a cam clutch, which is connected by special contacts to a centrifugal clutch;
  • ignition coil equipped with double winding;
  • a runner rotating simultaneously with the shaft, located on the distributor cover and transmitting voltage to the spark plug;
  • a cover through which current-carrying wires extend to the spark plugs;
  • a vacuum-type regulator that ensures the operation of the ignition advance function;
  • non-contact type equipment - used on the most modern models of distributors.

Replacement

How can you replace the distributor of your car yourself and is it possible? Yes, this really can be done even in a garage. To dismantle such a part, you will need to remove the negative terminal from the battery. Now you need to completely remove the high-voltage wiring leading to the cover and disconnect the hose from the vacuum corrector. Then remove the bracket, carefully supporting all the wires.

Please note that the installation of the new distributor is carried out in a certain position. For example, in the VAZ nine, it is possible only in one rotor position, which certainly greatly simplifies the whole process. And no notes are needed, this is a banal myth that car owners come up with.

In other words, installation simply involves placing the new part in its rightful place. Of course, all the nuts need to be tightened thoroughly to ensure proper fixation to the engine. That's all the replacement is.

Invest or sell cheap?

Today, the existing systems used to ignite fuel are not all and not always good. Almost all of them have their own pros and cons. But creating a particularly complex system in your own car is very expensive. It will be much more accessible to use simpler and cheaper systems.

Thus, it turns out that there is no direct need to install a cool, expensive ignition system in your inexpensive car. Why? Yes, because this way you will increase the cost of the car itself, but not the quality of ignition itself. Therefore, if the original ignition and distributor, including those, do not let you down when driving a car, why change anything.

Now you know all the most important and important things about this automotive element, we hope that this information will help you in communicating with your iron friend.

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