Points ignition troubleshooting

[hemi68charger]

Hey gang..
Having a tricky time with my C500 start up. In an effort to learn orderly troubleshooting for point-ignition, I need some steps. I would like to see if I can isolate the problem without buying every new component (i.e, new coil. new this, new that). So, what would be the first thing I check? 2nd?, 3rd?, etc. For the components, what's the standard method of checking to see if an individual component works or not (i.e coil)

This is what I have.

1. 1969 Charger 500 auto
2. Prestolite dual-point distributor (worked great in my Daytona previously, but you never know)

Thanks in advance...
Troy

[no318]

Troy, here is what I tell my students about it...

1)  Is there GOOD spark @ the spark plugs?  if not, #2
2)  Is there GOOD spark out of the coil?  Yes= cap/rotor.  No = #3
3)  Grounded 12 V. test light to coil negative (-) and crank the engine.  Test light should flicker.
       Flickers = primary circuit has power and is being triggered; check coil
       Lights ALL the time = Power to the coil, but not being triggered; check points, ign. module,
         module ground, etc.
       OFF all the time = No power to the coil + (ie. ignition switch, circuit, etc.) OR ALWAYS grounded
         (ie. points stuck shut, dist. not rotating, shorted wire, bad module, etc.)

[hemi68charger]

Thanks for all the input... I ran my first suggested test real quick before I had to take on other "domestic" things. When I hooked up my test light to the negative terminal of the coil and cranked the engine, the light flickered on and off with the rotation of the engine. So, with that being said, it is safe to say the coil's ok?

[hemi68charger]

OK, I ran the test over again with the test light hooked up to the negative post of the coil. This time I took the distributor cap off. Like before, the test light flickered with engine rotation with the ignition to ignition 1. (I'm cranking the motor with my hand-held remote starter switch since I'm by myself). But, looking down into the distributor, I see no spark/arcing at neither one of the points (have a Prestolite dual-point in it). Shouldn't I see arcing/sparks at the points as the open and close?