Ignition system — general information (VW Beetle)

The ignition system ensures that a spark appears at the right time in each of the engine cylinders. The spark ignites the sucked-in fuel-air mixture.

The ignition system consists of:

• ignition coils;
• ignition distributor with breaker and automatic ignition timing regulator;
• spark plugs.

In the ignition coil, the battery voltage (12 V) is converted into high voltage (15,000-20,000 V).

The distributor's job is to deliver the high voltage induced by the ignition coil to the appropriate spark plug at the right time. At the same time, a spark jumps between the electrodes of this spark plug, which ignites the fuel-air mixture in the cylinder.

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