Product description

The condenser is located in the distributor or on the side of the distributor and is connected on one side to the minus of the ignition coil and on the other side in the distributor at the contact point.

The condenser attenuates the spark in the contact point to prevent it from burning in. If the contact point burns in quickly, it means that the condenser is broken and you have to replace it. Even if the wiring of the condenser is damaged, it is advisable to replace it.

Volkswagen has used various types of condensers  over the years, hence the many versions. To be sure which condenser applies to your engine, use our online distributor / ignition tool. This tool can be found in the blue area below the image or on the tab "Technical data". After entering the VW or Bosch number on your distributor, all parts that apply to your distributor will be listed.

Attention: In some cases two different condensers may be shown, these are both used on this distributor but applied in different VW models. In such a case, please compare the picture.

Bosch Distributors (for original equipment applications)
Bosch has been Volkswagen's supplier from the very beginning, so most Volkswagens are equipped with a Bosch distributor. It's easy to check, the Bosch logo and Bosch part number are always indicated on the distributor.
In recent years, imitations of distributors have also appeared on the market, which are similar to the original Bosch in terms of distributor head, rotor, contact points and condenser. There is no Bosch or VW logo on the reproduction, but often the manufacturer's brand or part number.

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

Distributors 009 and 050
Bosch distributors 009 and 050 are only used for performance motors and owe their name to the Bosch number ending with 009 or 050. Both distributors are 100% centrifugal and have been applied as standard on Porsche engines.
On the original distributor, the Bosch logo and number are mentioned on the distributor and on the reproduction, it is not mentioned, often the manufacturer's brand or part number is mentioned. There is no reproduction of 050 distributor, only the 009.

123 distributor
The 123 is an electronic ignition system designed to replace Volkswagen's existing mechanical system, providing you with a virtually maintenance-free ignition system.