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Phil,
The trouble with a test like that is, if it has spark then the pickup is faulty, that's easy.
BUT, if it has no spark like your situation, it could be the coil, the amplifier module (6AL etc), or a poor joint in the wiring somewhere.
While it is still happening with no spark from the coil, you can measure for about 500 volts across the coil terminals with a DVM while you paperclip jump the harness.
Be careful doing this, that 480 volts is LETHAL.
If the large voltage is there, the coil is faulty, if not the module, or further testing.
If you don't want to do that, measure the coil primary and secondary resistances. About 1 ohm primary, about 3k OHm secondary, model dependant.
Gary
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