How to Change Distributor Caps

This is how to change a distributor cap on your vehicle. There are many different types of distributor caps, however, the same concept applies.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Depending on the vehicle:
• Screwdriver
• Ratchet/extension(s)/socket(s)
• New distributor cap

1. 
   Different style distributor cap.

   First, pop the hood on the vehicle. Locate the distributor cap. You can find it by following the spark plug wires. Different vehicle manufacturers use different types of distributors, and distributor caps. They may look different, they all however have the same function.

2. First you need to get a distributor cap from your local parts store. You will need your vehicle's year, make, model, trim, and engine size. For example: 1996 Honda Accord LX 2.2L. Once you get the distributor cap, compare it to the one on your vehicle. They should look the same.

3. 
   Rotor Button

   You now need to determine what is holding your distributor cap in place. This could be clips that you simply unsnap, screws, or bolts. From experience, leave the spark plug wires on the distributor cap for now. Remove whatever it may be that holds your distributor cap in place, again, this is different depending on the vehicle. Now that you have the distributor cap loose, set it to the side. Since you have the distributor cap removed, look at the rotor button. This is the piece that the distributor cap is covering. It sends the spark through the distributor cap. If it looks damaged (chipped, bent, cracked, etc.) now is the time to replace it. Some simply slide on, and others are held in place with a screw.

4. 
   Marking spark plug wires.

   Set your new distributor cap next to the old one. Now remove one spark plug wire from the old distributor cap, and place it into the same place on the new distributor cap. If you place the wires in the wrong order, the vehicle will run rough, or may not run at all. Continue transferring the spark plug wires until they are all on the new distributor cap. Some vehicles will have a coil wire as well, others do not. It really doesn't matter if your vehicle does or not, as long as you put all of the wires in the same location on the new distributor cap. If the location of the distributor cap, or the wires prevents you from leaving the spark plug wires attached, you can mark them for reference. With most distributor caps being black, an ordinary black Sharpie won't do you any good. You can however, write on masking tape and attach it to the distributor cap, or use a metallic (silver) Sharpie. Some distributor caps have numbers stamped on them from the factory. It is still a good idea to transfer one spark plug wire at a time. I work on cars for a living, and I can't tell you how much time I've spent looking up the firing orders on vehicles to figure out how to wire the distributor cap.

5. After you have all of the spark plug wires transferred to the new distributor cap you need to install the new distributor cap onto the distributor. Simply reverse the steps you took to remove the old distributor cap. Once you have everything back in place you need to run the vehicle to make sure everything is working properly, and you don't have any misfires. If you do, check to make sure that the distributor cap is installed correctly, and the all of your spark plug wires are in the right location, and properly seated.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a metallic (silver) Sharpie to mark the spark plug wires/distributor cap. This will save you a lot of time and headache.
• Always use caution when working on a vehicle.
• Remove the keys from the ignition while you are working on the vehicle so that no one tries to start the vehicle while your hands are in the engine bay.

Resources

• Distributor Caps & Rotors

[zemzem82]

on 1/31/2009 great tips. I always thought this was difficult. Explained very nicely- zemzem.ecrater.com

[jimdris]

on 1/3/2009 Very good step by step procedure!