Q&A for How to Check an Ignition Coil on an Aircooled Volkswagen Beetle

17.5 to 18,000 v max. A spark plug will only ask for just enough voltage to fire, and depending on the condition of the ignition system, as low as 3000 v up to coil max. If a plug is demanding 30,000 v to fire, you have high resistance trouble. Very high firing voltage can damage rotors, caps, and spark plug wires.

Maybe your timing is off.

Have your spark plugs checked. If you don't want to go to a car repair shop due to high maintenance cost, do it yourself. If you don't know how to do this yourself, there are many tutorial articles and videos online.

Change the spark plug wires.

Incorrect wiring is one possibility. The other, most likely option is that the points need to be adjusted or replaced. It is wise to replace the condenser at the same time. If the points are replaced, they still need to be adjusted. This adjustment is called your dwell angle. Dwell angle for new points is usually set between 44 - 50 degrees. (A points gap of .016" to .020" would give you correct dwell angle.)