Distributor

The part of the ignition system that distributes the current to the spark plugs.

In combination with the distributor cap, the engine ignition coil supplies high energy electricity to the distributor based on the function of the ignition control module.

This module, depending on the year of your car, gets signals from the crank position sensor or pick-up coil. Just as it’s name implies, it distributes spark to the spark plug wires based on the position of the rotor in the cap. These typically do not wear–they either work, or they don’t.