The distributor is driven by the engine's camshaft and is responsible for timing the spark and distributing it to the correct cylinder. The distributor cap contains a rotor that connects the ignition coil (and its high voltage) to the proper cylinder at the proper point in the stroke cycle.
The distributor is responsible for:
| distributing power to the correct drive wheels | |
| timing the spark and distributing it to the correct cylinder | |
| utlizing battery power to start the engine | |
| recharging the battery |