distributor

A distributor is a component in a gasoline engine's ignition system that directs high-voltage electrical current to the spark plugs in the correct firing order. This ensures that each cylinder ignites its fuel-air mixture at the precise moment needed for the engine to run.1

In older systems, the distributor worked in conjunction with breaker points and an ignition coil. As the engine's camshaft rotated, it would open and close the breaker points, interrupting the flow of low-voltage current to the coil. This interruption would induce a high-voltage surge in the coil's secondary winding, which the distributor then routed to the appropriate spark plug.12

Modern vehicles often use distributor-less ignition systems, such as coil-on-plug systems, where individual coils are placed directly on each spark plug, eliminating the need for a central distributor.12