In vintage Alfa Romeo ignition systems, the distributor breaker plate must maintain a reliable electrical ground to the distributor housing to complete the primary ignition circuit. Over time, the flexible braided ground wire connecting the plate to the housing can suffer from fatigue, fraying, or complete breakage due to engine vibration and vacuum advance movement. Additionally, corrosion at the mounting points can increase resistance, leading to intermittent or total loss of the primary circuit. When this ground is lost, the ignition system cannot complete the circuit required to trigger the coil, resulting in a sudden, immediate engine shutdown that mimics a failed ignition switch or coil.
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