You gotta check for spark within seconds for a valid test. key "on", seperate the zigzag dist pickup connector (the male metal tip of the body half of the connector) and drag the male tip along the metal intake manifold to make/break ground while you with your other hand hold the coil secondary wire (dist end) 1/4" away from the intake (ground) & see if you get profuse sparks. this only checks/isolates the pickup/magnet/reluctor assy (mainly pickup continuity) but its a start