The air cooled
Volkswagen is one of the last cars out there that still uses regular
points and condenser in the ignition. Some see this as a disadvantage
because they need to be replaced once or twice a year for best performance.
The advantage is that it is easy and inexpensive. Another advantage
that many of us vintage lovers like is that when we do have ignition
trouble we can usually clean up the points with a small piece of sandpaper
or a point file and make it home just fine. Not so with the new cars.
When the ignition goes on them you better call a tow truck and prepare
to dig into your wallet. The points in the distributor just act as
an off and on switch to a flow of current in the coil. They are pushed
open by the raised lobes on the shaft in the middle of the distributor
as it goes around. .016 is the ideal gap. The condenser is attached
to even out the current. The car would run without the condenser but
not as well or as long. Normally the condensers are trouble free but
they are inexpensive and it is common practice to replace them with
the points. If they were to short or ground out the car would quit
running. To replace
the points remove the distributor cap by popping loose the clips.
Examine the contacts inside for obvious excessive burning and look
for cracks.
