The coil has two required things going to it. A steady 12v and a pulsed ground. If you have a test light you can clip it to the two terminals on the coil and it should pulse as you crank the motor. If it does your coil or the coil lead is suspect. You can ohm out a coil.

http://autorepair.about.com/od/troubleshooting/ss/coil-test-ohm.htm

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