BMW Distributor Cap (2002 320i) - Genuine BMW 12111363423

Product Information

A distributor cap is a component in the ignition system of older, non-electronic ignition vehicles. Its purpose is to distribute high voltage from the ignition coil to each spark plug in the correct firing order. The distributor cap sits atop the distributor and contains terminals for each spark plug wire, allowing electricity to pass from the ignition coil to each spark plug. Although modern vehicles mostly use electronic ignition systems without distributors, many older cars still rely on this component.

• Engine Misfiring: One of the most common symptoms of a failing distributor cap is engine misfiring. If the cap is cracked or damaged, it may not deliver voltage consistently to each spark plug, causing erratic firing or no firing at all
• Difficulty Starting the Engine: If the distributor cap is damaged or corroded, it can interfere with spark distribution, making it harder to start the engine, especially in damp or cold weather
• Rough Idle: A worn distributor cap may cause the engine to idle roughly due to uneven power delivery to the spark plugs, leading to vibrations and shaking when the engine is running at low RPMs

About Genuine BMW

The original parts used by BMW to build your car are available as replacement parts under the “Genuine BMW” brand. When ordering a Genuine BMW part you are guaranteed to get the same part that you would pick up from your local dealerships part department. Genuine BMW parts have been built to BMW’s stringent standards and are the same quality of the original parts used to build your Ultimate Driving Machine.

You may not realize this, but the parts that make up your BMW are not necessarily manufactured by BMW. No cause for concern, as BMW designs the part, hires a manufacturer, and ensures its quality to you. In fact, many of these manufacturers have been making parts for BMW for decades. In our industry these manufacturers are called OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturers), and these are often brands you recognize, including Lemforder, ZF, Sachs, Bosch, Valeo, Zimmermann, Siemens VDO, Corteco, and more. Don’t be surprised to open that Genuine BMW parts box and find an OEM branded part inside, simply with the addition of a BMW logo.

Be sure to keep an eye out for OE tags on our product pages to quickly identify parts coming direct from OE manufacturers. That extra bit of insight could save you some serious money while shopping! Refer to our OE Academy for further information regarding the OE/OEM tags throughout the site.