Unplugged Distributor And Still Runs?

[nitroxsteve]

My truck cranks along time when starting. Its an 88 4.0 and I think the RENIX engines crank a few times before starting anyway. I was reading on a anouther forum that the engine will run with the distributor unplugged but will take longer to start. So I tried it and it does start but didnt seem to take any longer than normal. It is a rebuilt distributor from advance auto and the reason I replaced it was the gear was worn bad and I didnt want it to wear on my camshaft. It runs the same as the old part. How do you know if it is working corectly if it runs fine unplugged? I have checked and cleaned all of the connections and everything looks good. If anyone has any Ideas let me know.

 

Thanks,

[cruiser54]

My truck cranks along time when starting. Its an 88 4.0 and I think the RENIX engines crank a few times before starting anyway. I was reading on a anouther forum that the engine will run with the distributor unplugged but will take longer to start. So I tried it and it does start but didnt seem to take any longer than normal. It is a rebuilt distributor from advance auto and the reason I replaced it was the gear was worn bad and I didnt want it to wear on my camshaft. It runs the same as the old part. How do you know if it is working corectly if it runs fine unplugged? I have checked and cleaned all of the connections and everything looks good. If anyone has any Ideas let me know.

 

Thanks,

 

The distributor just "distributes" the sparkthrough the rotor to the cap to the wires etc.

 

The wires you unplugged go to the sync generator inside the dizzy. It helps the ECU determine where # 1 is firing so the injectors can be fired in the firing order sequence.