what are the symptoms of the distributor going out? I am experienceing a low rpm hesitation/stumble and also a hesitation/stumble at about 3000 to 3500 rpm's. The idle definately fluctuates also.

 

Besides the electronics, I would check out whether the inner shaft in the distributor spins freely. Take it out and spin the gear drive and if you feel like it is catching, it is on the way out. I have 160K on the clock and the distributor is fine so far.

 

You could also look at the teeth on the gear at the bottom but I doubt it is that based on what you say. I'd say the TPS may be bad but if it is the distributor, I would think it would be bad throughout instead of at one spot.

 

I have the exact same problem in my car. Rough idle during acceleration past like 50 mph it backfires then finally goes past 60 :x I had my boss take a look at it and the shaft for the distrib is cracked right at the top of the block.

 

First off, you'll have to excuse me for not knowing the correct tech terms but: when my distributor was bad, I ended up having to replace the electronic pickup on the backside that runs to the coil (I think thats where it runs ), and I replaced the internal shaft because the magnets on it were weaker than hell. Basically, I'd be cruising down the highway and out of nowhere, the damn car would just shut off. It did this on and off for a while until one day it shut off and never started again. That really sucked too

 

What do you mean by magnets on the internal shaft? My car has the same symptoms..it can just shut off on the highway or when idling. Mostly it dies when idling..but it will start right up. I changed the distributor and the problem is still there. My tach is also jumping around. I am stumped..