How to Change Distributor Caps

This article will describe the steps involved in changing the distributor cap on your car or truck. The distributor cap is used to fire the spark plugs in a specific order and at a specific speed. While most new cars use an electronic version of this, there are still many cars that use a distributor cap and rotor. After a car ages the cap may become cracked or the connections will not convey electricity as well as they used to.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Replacement distributor cap for your car or truck
• Screwdriver (flathead or Phillips depending on your car/truck
• silicone grease

1. Make sure you car or truck has cooled down. Last thing you want to do is drop a screw, reach for it, and get a third degree burn!

2. 

   Locate the distributor cap in your car or truck. All of the spark plug wires will be connected to it.

3. Unscrew the current distributor cap. (It's best to leave the spark plug wires connected, so when you attach the new distributor cap, you can keep the wires in the same order which is VERY IMPORTANT!

4. Once you have the distributor cap off, move the old one out of the way and attach the new one, the same way the old was attached. (This is also a great time to change the rotor as you have full access)

5. After the new distributor cap has been attached, remove the wire front center of the old distributor cap, place a small amount of silicone grease inside the boot, and connect to the center connector on the new distributor cap. This wire will come from the ignition coil, different from the others that will go directly to the spark plug.

6. Remove one of the spark plug wires from the old distributor cap. (Pull by the boot of the wire)

7. Apply a small amount of silicone grease inside the boot of the spark plug and attach it to the same position on the new distributor cap as it was on the old distributor cap.

8. Repeat the same steps until all the wires have been moved over to the new distributor cap.

9. Make sure no tools are left under the hood and start it up!

Tips & Warnings

• For added confirmation, using a small amount of masking tape, you can label the order of the wires to make sure they are put back in the right order.
• Make sure the wires are put back in the same order, serious damage could occur if they are placed back in the wrong order.

[SchoolOfLife]

on 3/15/2009 Good article, good information. I look forward to reading more. Keep up the good work. :)

[Vanillatte]

on 2/10/2009 Your article makes changing a distributor cap look easy! Thanks! 5*

[MariM]

on 2/4/2009 That was great instructions. We can all use vehicle maintenance articles.5*recmd

[jseven]

on 2/4/2009 Easy to follow! I might need it someday :) 5*RCRR

[FrazzledNanny]

on 2/4/2009 Great details. Wll written. Thanks! 5*