Abstract: An ignition device for internal combustion engines includes an ignition coil with separate primary and secondary windings. A sensor is connected in a spark plug current circuit. A peak value of an ignition current for each ignition is stored in a peak value rectifier and is subsequently processed into a value of a closing duration of the primary circuit, which is maintained at a constant by a control value regulation, to compensate for deviations and soiling or age condition changes in the ignition circuit. The closing duration is ascertained cylinder-selectively below an engine rpm limit value, is ascertained above this limit value only for a predetermined cylinder and is used for all of the remaining cylinders.