The Natural Philosopher wrote:

First of all, is there some way I can identify that there really are no
sparks? I stuck a car strobe light in series with the plug, but I think
this runs off the LT side of the car not the HT...so probably proves
nothing.

A wire-end neon across the HT will tell you a lot. If it doesn't even
flicker, then you've got nothing there.

--
Grunff