Capacitor Test

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Here's a good snippet from an Aussie manual for testing the capacitor -

  1. Remove distributor cap.

  2. Turn crankshaft until the points are fully open (any cylinder).

  3. Disconnect the LT (green) wire from the coil.

  4. Connect a test lamp wire to the ignition coil terminal and the other lead to the distributor wire.

  5. Switch on the ignition. If the lamp lights, the condensore is grounded internally and must be replaced.

  6. Now reconnect the distributor wire to the coil.

  7. Pull the main high tension wire from the coil, and with the ignition on, turn the engine over. The spark should jump a 1/4 inch gap to earth. If it won't jump this distance, replace the condensor.

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Disclaimer stuff: Rob and Dave have prepared this information from their own experiences. We have not assumed any specialised mechanical knowledge, but we DO assume that anyone using this information has at least some basic mechanical ability.

We hope you find this information useful, but we don't take any responsibility for anything which happens to you, other people, your VW or any other property or goods resulting from your use of this material.

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Have fun fixing your VW - just keep them fweeming, OK?

Last revised 4 May 2004.

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