A condenser is a small electrical component that can either be found inside or outside the distributor. The condenser’s job in the ignition system is to eliminate corrosion at the contact-breaker points and to intensify the spark in the spark plugs. A faulty condenser can cause your car’s engine to misfire. Luckily, replacing a condenser is an easy task that requires minimal tools like a small screwdriver. However, you need to follow proper instructions to get better results. Read on to find out how to fit a condenser in your car’s ignition system.
Signs of a Faulty Condenser
A condenser rotates to ensure that the contact-breaker points open and close efficiently. Most condensers are meant to last for about 20,000 miles, after which the issues begin to appear. Following are some of the signs that indicate a fault in the condenser:
- The engine starts but does not fire properly.
- Your car fails to start despite having no issues with the starter or the battery.
- The engine functions roughly and stops working suddenly.
- Faster burnout of the contact-breaker points in the distributor.
Safety Warning:
Unless testing your car’s battery, always remove the battery before you start working on any electrical component of the car to avoid getting shocked.
How to Fit a Condenser
Fitting a condenser is an easy task that will take you roughly 20-25 minutes, provided that you have the replacement condenser with you.
Removing the Old Condenser
Before you can fit a new condenser, you have to remove the old one from the distributor. Most condensers are found within the distributor near the contact-breaker points, but some cars also have condensers located outside the distributor. Follow the steps mentioned below to remove an old condenser from the ignition system:
Step 1 – You have to locate the distributor next to the engine and remove the distributor cap by unlatching the clips holding it in place.
Step 2 – You now have to disconnect the terminal lead by removing the bolt or screw present at the terminal post inside the distributor with a small screwdriver. While working on small screws, it is advisable to use a magnetic screwdriver.
Step 3 – Now, long with the disconnected leads, take off the plastic insulating washer as well.
Step 4 – Using a screwdriver, you now have to remove the screw that secures the condenser in place.
Condenser outside the Distributor
In the case of a condenser outside the distributor, you don’t have to remove the distributor cap. The terminals for the condenser leads are located externally on the distributor. You have to disconnect the leads and remove the securing screw holding the condenser in place to remove the condenser.
In rare cases, you can encounter a condenser that is mounted externally on the distributor, but its leads are connected to the terminals inside the distributor base plate. For condensers of that type, you have to take off the distributor cap and also the rotor arm.
Fitting the New Condenser
Before fitting a new condenser, make sure you have the right condenser recommended for your car. You can take the old condenser along while buying a new one.
Following are the steps you need to follow in order to fit the new condenser in the car’s ignition system:
Step 1 – Place the new condenser in place and attach its leads to the terminals on the distributor.
Step 2 – Secure the condenser in place by tightening the retaining screw on the baseplate or outside the distributor in case of an external condenser.
Step 3 – Make sure you place the leads under the plastic insulator; otherwise, the ignition will not work since the points would get earthed.
Step 4 – Lastly, you have to reassemble the distributor by placing the rotor arm and the distributor cap in place. Ensure that the clips on the cap are closed; otherwise, you will experience issues in the ignition system due to the loose connections.
Step 5 – Reconnect the battery.
Contact-breaker points
A condenser is closely associated with the contact-breaker points. A faulty condenser damages the contact-breaker points through irregular rotation.
- Make sure you also check the contact-breaker points for signs of pitting after you replace the condenser. If you spot more than 1 mm of metal deposited from one contact-breaker point to another, you also have to replace the contact-breaker points.
- You can replace the contact-breaker points using a small screwdriver to unscrew the old contact-breaker points and fit new ones in place. But make sure you wipe the protective covering off the fresh contact-breaker points with paraffin or alcohol first
- Once fitted in place, use a feeler gauge to fix the dwell angle in between the points. Use a multimeter with a dwell feature to ensure you have an accurate dwell angle as per the dwell angle recommendation in your car’s owner’s manual.
It is also a good idea to get new spark plugs to enhance the system’s performance.
And there you go, simple and easy condenser and contact-breaker points replacements. Now start your car and rev up your engine to feel the difference. If you continue experiencing trouble starting your car, there might be other reasons for the failure.
Additional Measures
Following are some additional measures you can take in order to get your car’s ignition system working again:
- Start off by checking your car’s battery. It should have the right amps; otherwise, you might have to either charge it with a battery charger or buy a new battery.
- Check the battery’s leads and connections for any signs of wear.
- You should also check and replace fuses that might have blown.
- Fit a new voltage regulator if the old one is faulty.
Knowing how to fit a condenser is a very useful skill that can come in handy whenever there is an issue with the condenser in your car’s ignition system. The quick and easy replacement can save you the hassle of going to the workshop and unnecessarily wasting your time and money.
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