When I push on the centre pin (from inside the distributor cap) it goes up - I can push it all the way up so you don't even see the point any more. Should I replace my distributor cap?

No, you have no problem......and you have no points either, by the way.....LOL.

Phil

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87 FIERO GT 2.8 5spd
0-60 in 6.8 seconds!
87 FIERO CPE 2.5 5spd
86 FIERO SE 2.5 AUTO
87 FIERO GT 2.8 4SPD
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The center pin in the distributor cap is spring loaded. This is done to make up for tolerance differences and heat/cold expansion/contraction, so that it will stay in contact with the rotor. If it doesn't spring back out you should get a new distributor cap. This is said going from memory, I don't actually have the parts in front of me, but this is what I seem to recollect.

[This message has been edited by avengador1 (edited 07-18-2003).]

I seemed to remember it being spring loaded as well - it was suggested in another thread that the distributor cap may be the source of my idling problem (The car doesn't idle unless I hold down the accelerator), so I thought I should check to make sure. Should it be able to wiggle left and right as well?

When I only give enough throttle so the car is around 900 RPM the lights dim, which seems to be characteristic of the problem ("I had the same problem with my 85 auto 2m4. Started gradually, but got worse. Turns out that it was the center pin in my dist cap had worn out, and low speed/power output didn't give the ignition enough juice for the spark to jump the gap (or something like that) Replaced it with a new one and the car ran great after that. ")

Just trying to figure out how to test if mine is "worn out"

[This message has been edited by Adrift (edited 07-18-2003).]

Caps are cheap enough, just replace it. If it's got 20k miles or 4 years old it probably needs a new one anyway. I remember my small blocks had spring loaded center pins. I never had problems with them though. I'm wondering if you have a problem with your alternator or voltage regulator. The lights dimming thing would really worry me.

[This message has been edited by Gordo (edited 07-18-2003).]

Alternator seems to be fine - I found a receipt in the car showing it has been replaced within the last 2000 km.. The thing is (in my logic) if the engine is not firing properly the alternator is not turning properly, which would cause the lights to dim. Once the car gets to 1000 rpm the lights stay on fine..

Keep in find that an alternator doesn't put out the full rated current at idle. If you have several accessories running at idle (A/C, radio, lights, etc) you will most likely notice everything is slightly dim, but when you rev the engine everything brightens up. It could also indicate a bad ground somewhere in the system which shouldn't be ruled out either. As for the distributor, yes, the pin should be spring loaded. This, like mentioned before, is to help keep a proper connection to the rotor from the center tower. If the pin was solid you could potentially run into problems with it making contact with the rotor either too close causing a bind between the cap and rotor, or too far creating an air gap where a spark needs to cross creating the potential for the spark to seek ground through other means, perhaps the ignition module.

Thanks everyone, I guess I'll just replace the cap anyways and see what happens... This not idling problem is really starting to peeve me off! BTW +'s all around

[This message has been edited by Adrift (edited 07-19-2003).]