How To Tell If Your Volkswagen Jetta Has A Bad Distributor Cap?

Is your Volkswagen Jetta jerking when you give it gas? It can be frustrating and usually signify that there is something off with the ignition system of your car. This can also be caused by a defective distributor cap.

This blog post will explain everything you need to know about distributor cap- what it is, what it does, and how to tell if your car’s distributor cap has some flaws. So, please keep reading….

Distributor cap- What is it and what does it do?

The distributor cap is the upper most part of the distributor. Just so you know, the distributor is an important part of a car's ignition system. It sits between the ignition coil and the spark plug. And, its job is to distribute the amplified voltage of the ignition coil among the spark plugs in a very controlled manner.

Major components that make up a car's distributor are- the distributor cap, rotor, capacitor, terminals and numerous other tiny parts. The cap protects sensitive parts of the distributor from dust, debris, and other types of contaminants. In addition, it also houses one input port and numerous output ports.

The input port connects the distributor to the ignition coil and output ports connect the distributor to the spark plugs via spark plug wires. If the distributor cap goes bad, the performance of your Volkswagen Jetta engine will be adversely influenced.

Luckily though, identifying a defective distributor cap is not that big of a deal. Read on to get aware of some of the most common causes and signs of distributor cap failure in a car.

Signs your Volkswagen Jetta distributor cap is bad

Engine misfiring

The most obvious sign of distributor cap failure in a car is engine misfire. The whole purpose of a distributor is to make sure that the amplified voltage produced by the ignition coil is reaching the spark plugs promptly.

However, if there is something wrong with the distributor cap, the power supply to the spark plugs will be disrupted. And, when that happens your car engine will misfire. This can cause serious damage to sensitive engine components that might cost you a lot.

Car is struggling to start

If your car engine is struggling to start, it could be related to a problem with your ignition distributor cap. Bringing a car engine to life is not an easy task. It is a very complicated process that requires the synchronous effort of many interconnected parts.

Besides, it also requires a steady supply of electrical energy. If your distributor cap is damaged, the electric power supply to key ignition system components will be disturbed. And, when that happens, you will find it hard to start your car engine.

Acceleration issue

Another bad distributor cap symptom is that your car will struggle to accelerate. The distributor is an important part of your car's ignition system. If its cap is damaged, the power supply to the spark plug will be disrupted.

A disturbed power supply due to a faulty distributor cap would adversely affect the performance of your car engine. In addition to a faulty distributor cap, sluggish acceleration in a car can be caused by a variety of other things including a worn-out spark plug.

Flashing check engine light

Yep, issues with the distributor cap can prompt your Volkswagen Jetta's onboard computer to turn on the check engine light. And, an illuminated check engine light is not something that should be overlooked- especially if it is blinking. Therefore, if your car's check engine light is flashing, have someone check on your car's ignition system.

Loud engine noise

The emergence of loud engine noise is another usual sign of a distributor cap problem. Therefore, if you hear a loud noise coming from your Volkswagen Jetta engine, the first and foremost thing you should do is to inspect its distributor cap. You should also confirm that other parts of the engine are in good shape and working fine.

Bottom line

A distributor cap is essential to keep your car engine running. If it goes bad due to normal wear and tear, corrosion, or contamination, you will see its impact immediately. That's why if you ever come across any of the above-listed signs, rush your car to a reliable local auto service center.

Iconic Auto Performance & Repair located in Suwanee, Georgia is an independent leader when it comes to looking after luxury European automobiles like Alfa Romeo, Audi, BMW, Bentley, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Mercedes, Porsche, Volkswagen.