Product description

Every 10,000 km, the ignition points often need to be renewed, they are worn or burned, check them every 5,000 km. The contact points are accessible after removing the distributor cap, rotor and protective cap, if fitted.

The new ignition points must be readjusted after assembly. This can be done with a 0.40 mm gauge (see Related parts tab) and then the contact angle must be measured (this should indicate between 44º and 50º).

Over the years, Volkswagen has used different types of contact points, hence the many versions. To find out which contact points apply to your engine, use our online distributor/ignition tool.

This tool is located under the blue area under the image or under the "Technical Data" tab. After entering the VW or Bosch number that can be read on your distributor, all parts that apply to your distributor are listed.

Bosch distributors (for original applications)

Bosch has been Volkswagen's supplier since the very beginning. Most Volkswagens are equipped with a Bosch distributor, it is easy to check, the Bosch logo and Bosch reference are always mentioned on the distributor.

In recent years, imitation distributors have also appeared on the market, with the same distributor cap, rotor, contact points and condenser as the original Bosch ones. The reproduction does not show the Bosch or VW logo, but often the manufacturer's brand or part number.

Garbe-Lahmeyer ignition (for original applications)

At the beginning of the 1960s, VW's turnover was so high that Bosch could no longer deliver the distributors, Volkswagen calling on Garbe-Laymeyer during this period. During this period, two brands were installed, so it may happen that you do not have a Bosch distributor but Garbe-Laymeyer in your car.

Garbe-Laymeyer only used the VW part number and the VW logo was printed large in the housing. So no Garbe-Laymeyer logo or part number, as Bosch has always done. These distributors met the VW/Bosch specifications but used their own distributor cap, rotor, contact points and capacitor.

009 and 050 distributors

Bosch distributors type 009 and 050 are used exclusively for tuning purposes and bear the name of the Bosch number that ends at 009 or 050. Both models are 100% centrifugal and have also been used as standard on Porsche engines.

The Bosch logo and original Bosch number are printed on the distributor but the reproduction does not mention it, often only the manufacturer's brand or part number. There are no reproductions of the 050, this is only the case with 009.

123 distributors

The 123 distributor is an electronic ignition system designed to replace the existing Volkswagen mechanical system, giving you a virtually maintenance-free ignition system.