Ignition system failure

["cruznmd" <racuti1@xxxx>]

I can't catch a break.

As I was driving home from DC yesterday, I decided I wouldn't -quite-
have enough fuel to make it home. I was very close to my wife's
office so I pulled in next to her. I grabbed my gas can, and used her
car to find a station to fill the can. I drove back, put the gas in
my tank and tried to start the car.

The engine cranked but didn't even try to catch. I knew almost
immediately why. I put my test spark plug in a wire and I had NO
spark. None. Zero.

I have:
Checked #1 fuse. Good. (replaced it anyway, no change)
Checked RPM relay. Good.
Bypassed RPM relay anyway. Good.
Bypassed ballast resistor. Still no spark.
Verified voltage to the coil IS present.
Verified main coil wire is tight on distributor and coil.
Cap, rotor, plugs, and coil are all brand-new.

I suspect the pick up coil is bad or the ignition ECU is bad. Why?

Because:

1. Voltage is present to the coil.
2. The RPM relay functions and it takes pulses from the coil to make
the relay function. The pulses ride the white/slate wire. If the coil
wasn't firing, the relay wouldn't close. This means spark is going to
the distributor and is NOT coming out on the cylinder plug wires.

Any other theories, tests or confirmations are welcome. I'm in a real
bind here folks.

Thanks,

Rich
#5335 D.I.W.