Distributor bad?

Here’s what I posted on Facebook. I asked about the low engine level light and service engine light here before and that they were not related. Mechanic says they are. Blames it on the distributor, plugs & wires. I told the shop I wanted to research before allowing them to replace the distributor.

What say you?
Don actually in Thompson IA

Had a mechanic look at the 95 wagon this week. Under full throttle the low oil level light comes on with the service engine light. They told me the code is a 39 and points to the distributor and/or spark plugs/wires. All three were replaced when purchased in the spring of 21. Distributor was an O’Reilly’s. Also did the electric fan conversion. Early summer replaced the AC compressor.

Except for that issue the engine operates fine. Even getting 19-20 mpg for a tow package that my 96 tow package I had in MO couldn’t touch.

I looked up the OBD 1 codes and 39 does not coincide with what I was told. I could have heard wrong and got the wrong number, my hearing is bad. Or is that the correct code using an OBD 1 to 2 adapter and OBD 2 code reader? Is it a wiring problem and not related to the distributor at all?

If the problem is the distributor what would you do since the Mitsubishi opti-spark is no more? They want to put a NAPA distributor on it. Which is fine because they will warranty it but if it doesn’t work then what?

Is the dynaspark distributor an option? Any other distributor options that do not have a Mitsubishi sensor?[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Looking for any ideas besides trying to find a Mitsubishi sensor in a junk yard(if that is the problem), I do not have the time.

The low oil light is not related to the code, and does not even throw a code. A low oil pressure light will light when the engine is about to stall, because the engine is not rotating fast enough to make enough oil pressure.

All of the distributors that do not have the Mitsubishi sensor can cause issues. Some rebuilt units may have the Mitsubushi sensor.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Thanks for the explanation on the oil level light. That makes sense finally. Had to be a reason the two happened at the same time.

When the pedal is floored the car stalls. That is the connection.

Fred Kiehl wrote:

All of the distributors that do not have the Mitsubishi sensor can cause issues. Some rebuilt units may have the Mitsubushi sensor.

I took the plunge in March of this year, after my OptiSpark had to be junked when trying to replace the rotor. I looked far and wide for a rebuilt OS with the Mitsubishi sensor, and could not in the time frame I had. I ended up buying a Summit unit:

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

6 months and 4k miles later, it is going strong -- but I am always mindful of "jinxing" it when I say that (for the reasons that you mentioned).

You can check the codes yourself through the climate control, check this link for how to do it and what the codes mean. I'd suspect if it was a code for the distributor you'd have a lot more issues. IIRC the codes are stored after the light goes out for some time

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

I read somewhere that the codes are stored for 50 starts.