I may have missed this piece of advice: The problem could be that the
shorting wire is grounded someplace along the line. This is an
additional wire connected to the points that goes somewhere- maybe to
the carb, maybe to a start-stop switch. If it's shorted to ground or if
the switch it is hooked to has failed, then the points will be grounded
and you get no spark.

Pete Stanaitis
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Roger Shoaf wrote:

I have an older Briggs and Stratton 3.5hp engine on a lawn edger. I am
getting no spark. (has points, not elect. ign.)

I have removed the flywheel and I can visually detect no issue with the
points or any obvious shorts.

Any advice on how to test the magneto armature and the capacitor?

I don't mind buying the parts, but I hate to replace a part just to rule it
out.