However, most of timing light use magnetic pickup. You put the clamp around any spark plug wire or the wire from coil to distributor, the current through the wires will trig the timing light (start to flash). It's just like a current indicator, which says whether there is current through the wire. If there is current through the wire, most likely there is a spark (maybe weaker). That's why I use it to check ignition. It almost takes no time for you to check all the spark plug wires and the wire between coil and distributor, just move the clamp (magnetic pickup) from one wire to another and see if there is light out.
For your case, you can just try the wire between coil and distributor first, if no light, that says likely no connection or bad coil.
The advantage is you don't have to disconnect anything, but of course, not 100%dependable, and you need pay attention to moving parts!!!
