ok during my tune up today I came across the first rotor I haven't been able to get off. I should just be able to pull it straight off but that's not the case, the little b@stard wont come off. are there any little tricks to get it off?

1995 xj 6 cylinder

 

Pull Harder.

 

I did -_- I even tried pliers

 

I have run across a couple like yours, that just simply don't want to be removed
assuming there are no securing screw on it, it may be just stuck due to corrosion or something.

On my case, I sprayed a little wd-40 trying to reach the inside of the rotor / distributor shaft, and started knocking it with a small hammer (no big hits, just something that will try to get loose some of the whatever is holding it in place)

Pull again and repeat as necessary (carefully not to bend the distributor shaft

If the damm thing is still not giving up, then it is the time to cut the rotor with a small cutting wheel on one side and then the opposite, carefull not to cut the shaft, just the plastic rotor.

hope this helps, and remember to cover the inside of the dizzy with a rag or something, keeping the dust and plastic pieces out !

 

Well I'm probably going to have to buy a whole new distributor. The rotor is all broke apart and the plastic cap with the wire attached to it is broke apart I might be able to rig it unless I can buy that part.

 

Huh... pictures ?

 

There is a difference between a "distributer" and a "distributer cap". Usually big money.

 

Plastic thing with wire attached got me ? Unless he means the hall effect sensor.

 

I'm guessing op means the distributor cap is the thing with the wire(s) hanging from it. Until we get further information, it's all a big mystery. Maybe it's solved and the post has been abandoned.

If this was bimmers project he would be out buying a couple hundred dollars worth of specialty tools right now.

 

This is what I broke

 

Holy crap! Did you use a BFH to smack the rotor? There is a finesse that is required in fragile areas of any machine. It looks like a heavy hand was used. Well, I suggest some R&R...... Remove and replace. If you're not sure what you're doing please post for advice or get some help locally. A tune up has already turned into an expensive project. Don't want to see you spend more for damaged parts.

 

No I know what I'm what I'm doing and I barely lifted up and that piece and and it cracked. I can still be screwed back on. It's just old, I don't think it's been worked on since it was build.

 

You can get a reman with all those parts included for about $50.

 

Yep, there is nothing easy about any aspect of working on an XJ.
Even swapping a rotor can become a multi-day project, as evidenced by OP.
Welcome to XJ!

The cam position sensor is also called the Distributor Pickup Switch.
It was $80 last time I checked.
I think I read long ago that if you reinstall the CPS incorrectly, you will have issues.

 

Easier and cheaper just to replace the whole dizzy. It includes the CPS, sync signal generator, and every other component