How long do distributors last, what mileage do they usually go out? Or can they last forever?
What's the usual failure point of a distributor or a distributor based system?
I understand this may differ from make to make, model to model.
My main concern is for my 1999 Honda Accord, but curious across then board for any make and model you have experience with.
They go out when they go out. I think the lifetime varies a lot. And so does the build quality. Some can fail in a matter of weeks.
The moving parts can wear out. The plastic can just age and crack and start arcing over. They can get corrosion from moisture ingress. They can get carbon tracing....
Are there any symptoms to look out for that suggest it is going out?
You'll know. Then engine won't run well.
Luckily dizzies are relatively inexpensive, so you don't really need to watch them or anything.
I mean, if you're bored and already rooting around in your engine, you could pop the cap off and make sure everything is clean and dry inside, and contacts have good clean metal.
I'm so glad we have electronic coil on plug ignition now. I never have to touch it.
Those distributor systems were a royal pain in the rear. Good riddance.