TheSamba.com :: View topic - Ignition condenser 02170 being discontinued... they're back

Tue Mar 11, 2008 8:11 am

Left to right:
Wolfsburg West repro - NOS Bosch - new Bosch 02170

Fri Apr 11, 2008 1:59 pm

How often do condensers go bad? How can you tell?

Sat Apr 12, 2008 7:30 pm

Not all that often from my experience. Visuallly other than obvious can damage or insulation worn off the lead wire there is no way to tell.

Sat Apr 12, 2008 7:35 pm

I'm running a 40+ year old condenser on my Bosch 010 on my 2180.

Sun Apr 13, 2008 3:09 am

You can measure the capacity by suitable gauge. If it is zero, your capacitor is dead.

Sun Apr 13, 2008 5:33 am

rdwood wrote: How often do condensers go bad? How can you tell?
I've never had one that failed outright. I usually replace any non-Bosch ones.

Mon Apr 14, 2008 4:11 am

I have had a couple go bad, the cars ran like crap, they must have been partially shorted internaly, once they were switched out with new ones the cars ran fine again, they had no acceleration but idled ok, I think the best bet is to change them out at least every 10 years, once the points have been filed down as many times as possible its time for a new condensor

Sat Jul 05, 2008 8:29 pm

My first ever condenser failure just occurred. The wire separated from the lead in. Symptoms were as previously mentioned. The engine idled fine, but misfired when under load.

Sat Jul 05, 2008 8:48 pm

Snort wrote: My first ever condenser failure just occurred. The wire separated from the lead in. Symptoms were as previously mentioned. The engine idled fine, but misfired when under load.
Yup... that's the sign of a bad condenser.

Those yellow wire condensers are 40+ years old and you should not be surprised that it failed.

I'll have to make sure I carry a spare since I have a old condenser on my car.

Tue Jun 16, 2009 2:05 am

I've been always told that IF there is transfer of material at the points, from one electrode to the other, THAT is signal of a bad condenser?

I misunderstood something?