Capacitor

Capacitor for the ignition distributor.
From 8/60 to 7/65 (including 30 hp engines).

The capacitor is located in the distributor and is connected on one side to the negative of the ignition coil and on the other side in the distributor to the contact point.

The capacitor dampens the spark at the contact point to prevent burning. If the contact point burns quickly, this means the capacitor is defective and you must replace it. If the wiring of the capacitor is damaged, it is also advisable to replace it.

Volkswagen used various types of capacitor over the years, hence the many versions. To be sure which capacitor applies to your engine, use an online distributor/ignition tool. After entering the VW or Bosch number of your distributor, all parts that apply to your distributor are listed.

Attention! In some cases two different capacitors may be shown, both used in this distributor but in different VW models. Please compare the picture in such a case.

Bosch distributors (for original-equipment applications)
Bosch was Volkswagen''s supplier from the start, so most Volkswagens are fitted with a Bosch distributor. It is easy to check; the Bosch logo and the Bosch part number are always stated on the distributor.
In recent years imitation distributors have also come on the market, resembling the Bosch original in terms of distributor cap, rotor, contact points and capacitor. On the reproduction there is no Bosch or VW logo, but often the brand or part number of the manufacturer.

Garbe-Lahmeyer distributors (for original applications)
At the start of the 1960s the sales figures were so high that Bosch could not produce enough distributors, so Volkswagen turned to Garbe-Lahmeyer during this period. In this period two brands were fitted, so you may have not a Bosch but a Garbe-Lahmeyer distributor in your VW.
Garbe-Lahmeyer used only VW part numbers, and the VW logo was also printed in large lettering on the distributor, so no Garbe-Lahmeyer logo or part number, as Bosch always did. These distributors met the VW/Bosch specifications, but used their own distributor cap, rotor, contact points and capacitor.

Distributors 009 and 050
The Bosch distributors 009 and 050 are only used for performance engines and owe their name to the Bosch number ending in 009 or 050. Both distributors are 100% centrifugal and are fitted as standard on Porsche engines.
There is no reproduction of the 050 distributor, only the 009.

123 distributor
The 123 is an electronic ignition system, intended to replace the existing mechanical system of Volkswagen and to offer you a practically maintenance-free ignition system.