Which one is number one on the distributor - Cars & Trucks

Distributor Installation

This is for distributor installation, if I understood your post correctly. There is also camshaft retard set, you need a scanner for that.

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1. Bring cylinder number one piston to Top Dead Center (TDC) of compression stroke.


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2. Remove the distributor cap bolts and discard.
3. Remove the distributor cap.


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4. Install a NEW distributor gasket onto the distributor.


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5. Align the indent hole on the driven gear with the paint mark on the distributor housing.
6. Ensure that the distributor rotor segment points to the cap hold area.


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7. Align the slotted tang in the oil pump driveshaft with the distributor driveshaft. Rotate the oil pump driveshaft with a screwdriver if necessary.
8. Align the flat (1) in the distributor housing toward the front of the engine.
9. Install the distributor and distributor clamp.


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10. Once the distributor is fully seated, align the distributor rotor segment with the number 8 pointer that is cast into the distributor base.
11. If the distributor rotor segment does not come within a few degrees of the number 8 pointer, the gear mesh between the distributor and camshaft may be off a tooth or more. Repeat the procedure in order to achieve proper alignment.


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Caution! Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.

12. Install the distributor clamp bolt.

Tighten
Tighten the distributor clamp bolt to 25 N·m (18 lb ft).

disconnect the cable from the negative battry terminal. position the engine with number one cylinder at TDC on the compression stroke this mean you can take number one spark plug out with the engine cool place your thumb over the spark hole and have some one turn the engine over and and feel the presure by your thumb when you feel pressure stop turning engine take the distributor cap and make sure the rotor is pointing to number one spark wire in distributor cap if not you may have to turn the engine a little with your hand apply a paint mark on the edge of the distributor body directly below the rotor tip. also make a mark on the distributor base to the engine to ensure the distributor can be re-installed in exactly the same position as originally installed disconnected the coil wires from the distributor cap electrical connector, spark plug wires from the spark plugs remove the distributor hold-down bolt and pull out the distributor.

If you look at the distributor cap from the wires side carefully, you would find either a line mark on one of the outer side of four holes (where the spark plug wires are inserted) or the numbers printed on the top of distributor cap (1,3,4,2). Fix one end of the longest high tension plug wire into number 1 hole or the one marked with a line mark on the distributor cap and the other end on spark plug number 1 (the number 1 plug is toward the pulleys and the belts side, then No 2, No 3 and No 4). While standing in front of right wheel you will see the distributor cap in front of you. The rotor moves clock wise. After you fix the 1st cord, next comes number 3 plug wire. Insert one end of the cord into the next to 1 on the right hand side and press the other side of the cord on spark plug number 3. Next to 3 is the cord number 4 and the last one is number 2.

There was only one distributor number used by VW for all 1999 Cabrios (US market), all references below are for US models only. (for Canadian market there were some different ones). The VW part number is 037 905 205 T, these were made by Bosch. Bosch did possibly supply a some different numbers to VW (Bosch number 0 235 520 066 replaced by 0 235 520 065) but both had the same VW part number and used the same repair parts. There is no serial number for the distributors, just part numbers. The original distributor will have the VW number as well as one of the Bosch part numbers stamped into the body of the distributor. The distributors rarely had to be replaced, as most parts to repair them are available. The ignition hall unit (sensor) is replaceable in the 037 905 205 T distributor. I am a independent parts distributor for VW and Audi vehicles and also a Bosch warehouse distributor. I have the hall unit in stock for this distributor, mail order price is $121.70 + shipping (and + sales tax if shipped within Alabama). I can also install the hall unit in your distributor (if needed) if you send me your original distributor. To replace the hall unit the distributor has to be disassembled and if done improperly the distributor can be made unusable. Call me or Email me if you need more information. 1888VWPARTS [email protected]

The number "6" that he refers to only applies to the EDI distributor. If you have the HEI distributor, you won't have the number 6 to worry about.With the EDI, or Enhanced Distributor Ignition, the distributor can't be rotated to adjust the timing. The number 6 molded into the housing is basically a timing mark and the rotor must be installed so it lines up with that number.

The ignition timing is not adjusted with a timing light or with the engine running, and to set the ignition timing follow these proceedures.

There is a mark or notch on the distributor housing that the rotor should be pointing to when the engine is on top dead center. This "static" timing is all that matters and the computer will be able to control the timing as long as the ignition rotor is in that position when the engine is at top dead center.

1. Place the engine at top dead center.

2. Look under the distributor cap and find where the number one terminal runs under the distributor cap, and where that position on the distributor cap corresponds with the distributor housing, and it should match up to a mark or a notch on the distributor housing indicating the number one position.

3. With the engine on top dead center the ignition rotor should be pointing to the number one mark or notch that is on the distributor housing, if it is not then loosen up the distributor and turn the distributor until the ignition rotor is pointing to the mark or notch on the distributor housing and then tighten down the distributor, the engine should now be static timed.

If the distributor can not be turned enough to align the ignition rotor with the number one mark on the distributor housing, or the distributor does not set properly and will not allow the installation of the spark plug wires then the distributor is not installed correctly and is most likely a tooth off and it will need to be re-installed correctly. (The distributor should set like it is shown in the firing order diagram when it is properly installed)

Here is a firing order diagram to also help assist you.

The ignition timing is not adjusted with a timing light or with the engine running, and to set the ignition timing follow these proceedures.

There is a mark or notch on the distributor housing that the rotor should be pointing to when the engine is on top dead center. This "static" timing is all that matters and the computer will be able to control the timing as long as the ignition rotor is in that position when the engine is at top dead center.

1. Place the engine at top dead center.

2. Look under the distributor cap and find where the number one terminal runs under the distributor cap, and where that position on the distributor cap corresponds with the distributor housing, and it should match up to a mark or a notch on the distributor housing indicating the number one position.

3. With the engine on top dead center the ignition rotor should be pointing to the number one mark or notch that is on the distributor housing, if it is not then loosen up the distributor and turn the distributor until the ignition rotor is pointing to the mark or notch on the distributor housing and then tighten down the distributor, the engine should now be static timed.

If the distributor can not be turned enough to align the ignition rotor with the number one mark on the distributor housing, or the distributor does not set properly and will not allow the installation of the spark plug wires then the distributor is not installed correctly and is most likely a tooth off and it will need to be re-installed correctly. (The distributor should set like it is shown in the firing order diagram when it is properly installed)

Here is a firing order diagram to also help assist you.

TO REPLACE A DISTRIBUTOR FIRST YOU HAVE TO GET ENGINE IN NUMBER 1 FIRING POSITION IN COMPRESSION STROKE.WITH ROTOR POINTING TO NUMBER 1 POSITION ON DISTRIBUTOR CAP BESURE TO PUT NUMBER ALL PLUGS WIRES AND NUMBER ON DISTRIBUTOR SO YOU WONT GET CONFUSE AND MARK THE DISTRIBUTOR BASE ALSO SO YOU CAN PUT IT BACK IN THE ORIGINAL POSITION.

the casting numbers are stamped on side of distributor, on ledge where distributor cap goes onto

Lis the engine getting fuel and spark? If it is then the problem is the distributor is off. Bring the number 1 piston up to top dead center. The first piston on the passenger side of the engine. Then align your distributor for before number one on the cap. When you slide the distributor into place it should line up with number one on the cap. Mark number one on the distributor with a marker. The cap is marked for number one. Put it all back together and the engine should fire up. Then time the engine