A 1999 GMC Suburban distributor has one function. The distributor runs voltage from the coil to the appropriate spark plug, which fires the cylinders and therefore makes the engine run efficiently. The Suburban shows certain signs when the distributor is going bad. These symptoms show up in the timing of the engine as well as in the smooth operation of the engine.
One of the signs of a bad distributor in the 1999 GMC Suburban is that the engine turns over but does not engage. The engine does not sound like it is out of gas; instead, it sounds more like it wants to start but does not engage. Voltage is intermittently getting to the spark plugs to fire the cylinders, but is not always getting to the correct spark plug and cylinder, acting as if there is a short circuit. The coil inside the distributor of the Suburban is bad and needs to be replaced.
If the engine on the 1995 GMC Suburban does start and idle normally, but misfires when the GMC accelerates, the distributor is bad. The engine cylinders are not firing in the correct order, which does not allow the fuel injectors to put gasoline in the correct cylinder, causing the engine to misfire. The misfire is from the injectors pumping fuel into the cylinder at the time of the firing of the spark plug. When this engine problem occurs in the GMC, it is a sure sign that the distributor is bad. The distributor must be replaced.
Another sign of a bad distributor in the 1995 GMC Suburban shows up when the SUV accelerates. The engine hesitates when being accelerated and will backfire once the engine engages. This bad distributor problem is caused by the computer in the Suburban engaging cylinders that are not getting voltage to the spark plug located on those particular cylinders. When this engine problem occurs, it can create more damage to the valves, cylinders, spark plugs and other engine components. Anytime the engine does not accelerate properly, backfires, misfires or idles normally, but does not run smoothly when accelerating, the Suburban owner must have the distributor checked by a qualified technician.
