BeetleIgnition
Static Timing a 1600DP the Easy Way
No timing light? No problem. Learn the quick static method to get your Beetle running crisp.
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Air-cooled knowledge, water-cool vibes
VW Stuff That’s Actually Useful (and Fun)
From Beetle basics to bus builds, we’ve got hands-on guides, friendly specs, and inspiration for your next wrench session.
Latest Articles
CarbPICT-3
Dialing in a 34 PICT-3: Baseline to Smooth Idle
Baseline settings, vacuum leak checks, and mixture tweaks for a happy air-cooled idle.
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ElectricalWiring
Starter Circuit 101: Ignition Switch, Solenoid & Relays
Understand the path from key to crank, plus a clean relay add-on for old wiring.
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Clear steps for classic VW tasks. Expand any topic to see the process.
Check for Spark: Coil → Distributor → Plugs
- Battery charged (≥12.4 V). Confirm clean grounds from battery to body and transmission strap.
- Key ON: verify +12 V at coil terminal 15 (positive).
- Crank: watch coil terminal 1 (negative) pulse (test lamp flashes / meter toggles).
- Pull center coil wire at the cap, hold ~6–8 mm from clean ground, crank—look for strong blue spark.
- If coil spark is good, check rotor, cap, and plug wires; then test plug spark at the electrode.
Static Timing (vacuum distributor)
- Rotate engine to TDC #1 (notch on pulley aligned; rotor points to #1 mark).
- Loosen distributor clamp. Turn ignition ON.
- Connect a 12 V test lamp between coil (–) and ground. Rotate distributor slowly until lamp just turns off/on at your target advance (e.g., 7.5° BTDC mark).
- Tighten clamp; recheck. Start engine and fine-tune with a timing light if available.
34 PICT-3 Baseline Settings
- Idle speed screw: turn in until it just touches the stop, then ¼ to ½ turn further.
- Bypass (big) screw: ~2½ turns out. Mixture (small) screw: ~2½ turns out (starting point).
- Warm engine, adjust bypass for ~850–900 rpm; tweak mixture for highest smooth idle; re-set idle speed.
- Spritz carb cleaner around base & boots to detect vacuum leaks (rpm change = leak).
Specs & Tools
Handy references you can copy to your notes.
Tune-Up Card
Valve lash (cold): 0.006 in (intake & exhaust; many stock setups)
Point gap (1600DP): 0.016 in
Idle target: 850–900 rpm
Firing order: 1-4-3-2
Pulley Marks Helper
Wrap a paper strip around the pulley, mark circumference, then divide for degrees:
Degrees per mm depends on pulley diameter. Use a printable wheel or calculator.
Common advance marks: 7.5°, 10°, 30° (all-in check with light).
Charging Quick Check
Battery off: ~12.6 V (full). Engine at fast idle: 13.8–14.4 V.
If you see <13.5 V, inspect belt tension, regulator connections, brushes, and grounds.
Gallery
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