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Ignition Distributor Replacement

Model: Mercedes Sl MK 5, R129 - Years 1989-2001
Part: Engine

In older engine designs, the distributor was an electromechanical device that generated the spark for igniting the fuel-air mixture inside the combustion chambers of gasoline engines; this system was used before the introduction of electronic control units. The evolution of the distributor is the electronic distributor, where an electronic contact is used to determine the position of the crankshaft instead of points. This contact controls a transistor or a small electronic switch that discharges the primary of the coil, eliminating the spark and achieving faster switching, resulting in more powerful sparks at the spark plugs. Replacing this component is very simple: just remove the cover from the top of the engine, disconnect the electronic distributor from the spark plug wires, and unscrew the mounting screws to remove the old one and install the new one.

Updated on 17 February 2026 by ScegliAuto

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