Ignition Rotor: Description and Operation

Purpose
The rotor connects the carbon terminal in the center of the distributor cap to the correct spark plug terminal in the cap.

Operation
The rotor is in contact with the carbon terminal, but no contact is made with the plug terminals.

As the distributor shaft rotates, current travels from the coil wire, through the cap center terminal, through the rotor and jumps across the air gap to the plug terminal, and then the plug.