How do you replace the distributor on a 1996 or newer Ford Taurus - Mercury Sable?

Answer 1

There is no longer an ignition "distributor" on today's engine.

Electrical distribution is handled by the:

• Powertrain Control Module (PCM),
• camshaft position sensor (CPS)
• ignition coil that looks like a rectangular distributor.

  NOTE: 2000-2005 Duratec engines use Coil-on-Plug (COP) in lieu of a coilpack

By the way, there is also no longer an ignition control module - that job has been passed off to the PCM.

The "How do you know which wire goes where on the ignition coil and spark plugs on a Taurus - Sable" question below introduces the basics of ignition distribution - hopefully it will help folks transition from the old arrangement to the new.