Distributor cap and rotor replacement problems

[billofdurham]

Is it possible that when you have been replacing caps you have disturbed the bare wires enough to get it to start?

Whatever the cause it is good to know the problem has been solved.

Bill.

[Hamiltonhiii]

No, I thought about that possibility. I think that electricity travels the path of least resistance. When the cap and rotor are brand new, they are able to fire enough to keep the motor running. But very shortly, the engine heats up and the bell housing that holds the bare wire becomes too perfect a conductor and voila, there goes the spark.
That's my theory anyway.

[clarkandrew45]

92 940? You may have a problem with the rpm sensor on the flywheel. When you are r&r'n the distributor cap, you may be disturbing the lead going to it. Remove the cap, get flashlight, look straight down behind head to bellhousing. You will see a large wire coming out of bellhousing and ending up by your right hand in a 3 wire connector. If the insulation is cracked, worn away, you MAY have found your problem. Should set code, if you check them.

I am now going to check this on my father's 1992. I think he had the same problem with the cap. Do you have any pictures with this large wire? So i can easily check that one?

[Hamiltonhiii]

It was really easy to find....put your left hand on the distributor cap and then reach straight down from there about one foot. You will land on the bell housing. The wire into it is directly below the cap. If it's never been replaced it will almost certainly be splayed. I just put some electrical tape around mine and that worked for two years.
No pics, sorry. But again, Iif you drop your hand down directly, you are certain to stop on the bell housing. With a flashlight, you'll see the wire that is the lead for the RPM sensor.
Good luck.