86 4.3 no-start

[A C Hunter]

I have been driving a previously reliable Caprice for several years.

A couple of days ago it was shut off in the driveway (warm) and refuses to start since then ( no intermittent, just sudden death).
It cranks fine, but there is no spark at plugs, nor spark from coil wire.
The coil is receiving 12 volts.

I had our local big box parts store check the module (out of the car obviously) and it checked OK on 6 out of seven attempts. On fifth or sixth we got a 'dwell' error and OK subsequently.
Can't bring myself to spend the bucks based on that flimsy evidence.

I wonder if anyone out there can help me with regards to specs, schematics etc. to diagnose this problem. A multimeter without target numbers might as well be a lump of dirt!

Any other suggestions? Is there any particular common failure in this system?

Oh to have a simple 'plugs, points and condenser' engine again!

btw - this is my first post on AF - please excuse any breach of board ettiquete.

[A C Hunter]

I can stop doing the above.

For those of you who may have been to shy to offer your advice...
but would like the answer anyway.

Pickup coil

Found my manual for an older vehicle, which had some resistance
specs for various locations.. tomorrow we try the <$20 part.

now, if I ever can help you ...