Would a loose distributor cause your car to not start?

A faulty engine distributor won't spark, which will either prevent the engine from starting or cause it a running engine to fail. ... The distributor also disburses current to the spark plugs initiating engine performance.

1. Can a bad distributor rotor cause no start?
2. What problems can a bad distributor cause?
3. Will a car run with a bad distributor?
4. What sends power to the distributor?
5. Can a distributor go bad from sitting?
6. Can a bad distributor cause loss of power?
7. What happens if your distributor timing is off?
8. Can a worn distributor gear symptoms?
9. Can a bad distributor cause misfire?
10. Can a bad distributor cause battery problems?

Can a bad distributor rotor cause no start?

Common signs include engine misfires, car not starting, the Check Engine Light coming on, and excessive or unusual engine noises.

What problems can a bad distributor cause?

In comparison with modern cars and their solid-state ignition systems, the distributor has to be one of the most infernal parts of an older engine. If not regularly checked and maintained, it can cause all kinds of problems, like poor starting, misfiring, low power and, er, being stuck on the side of the road.

Will a car run with a bad distributor?

A faulty distributor cap can cause your engine to stall. Voltage must be produced by the spinning distributor rotor for the engine to keep running. If the rotor does not rotate properly, the engine loses power and stalls out as you're trying to drive. The longer you let this go on, the worse it will get.

What sends power to the distributor?

The distributor has a shaft that gets spun by the camshaft. That moves other distributor parts that cause the ignition coil to pulse, and sends the electricity down each spark plug wire in order. The power travels down the spark plug wires to the spark plugs and causes sparks.

Can a distributor go bad from sitting?

They will thoroughly inspect your system and replace the distributor rotor and cap. Since the distributor rotor and cap can go bad over time because they are located in a harsh environment, it is important to know the symptoms this part will give off before it completely fails.

Can a bad distributor cause loss of power?

Bad spark plugs, fouled-up plug wires or a cracked distributor cap can cause spark loss, while compression loss -- in which too much of the air-fuel mixture flees a cylinder before going bang -- commonly arises from a leaky exhaust valve or a blown head gasket [sources: B&B; O'Reilly].

What happens if your distributor timing is off?

Ignition timing retarding causes the spark plug to fire later in the compression stroke. The effects of retarding ignition timing include reducing engine detonation, which is combustion inside the cylinders after the spark plug fires. This is also known as engine knocking.

Can a worn distributor gear symptoms?

Distributor gear wear can cause a variety of headaches for car owners. Eventually running problems develop, timing issues, idle issues, backfiring, or even an engine that won't run at all aren't uncommon when a distributor gear is damaged. Troubleshooting these issues can be somewhat of a headache as well.

Can a bad distributor cause misfire?

your engine is misfiring: if the distributor isn't providing enough juice to the spark plugs, it can cause your engine to misfire, which typically feels like the engine is stumbling. it's usually caused by incomplete combustion. typically, a failing distributor will cause a misfire on all cylinders.

Can a bad distributor cause battery problems?

A bad ignition coil can't drain a battery. Ignition coil put into the circuit only when ignition key is switched on and it is switched off immediately when machine starts working. If battery is draining, get the electrical circuit checked thoroughly by a professional technician only.