Complete power loss at 40mph - help if you can!

[CMF_Martos]

1999 Micra inspiration, UK model, no upgrades etc, my first car, had about 2 months. I'm driving at 40mph and the car suffers total power loss, no engine braking or power steering, just the car rolling to a stop. Battery warning light comes on. Manage to pull over to the roadside behind a breakdown truck! and the nice bloke takes a look (for free). Battery ok. He removes the distributor cap to check for water. All dry. He tells me it's the distributor needs replacing. Is this right? I'm prepared to pay for a new distributor (although it is expensive and I'm skint) but don't want to find out that there could be another cause. I've checked all the fuses etc and are okay. Had to tow the Micra home and now it won't spark on ignition. Any ideas? Thanks.

 

[CMF_Red Menace]

I'd get a distributor from a scrapyard if I were you.

 

[CMF_sikK11]

could be the altenator couldnt it?????

 

[CMF_Martos]

Just bought a new distributor from ebay. Getting it fitted this weekend by someone who knows what they are doing, lol. Although the new one doesn't have one of these. Forgive my ignorance, but what is this bit for?