Not getting 12 volts to coil

My voltage readings by removing the plastic housings in front of the bulkhead connector (12.5), and under the dash from an uncoupled harness connector that had the ingition switch (10.5) were with the battery hooked up, but nothing running except the lights inside the car. I don't know how to test the ignition switch directly, because it seems to activate the switch, I would have to have the proper harness connector hooked up. If I had 10.5 while cranking, I'd be home free. To test directly at the appropriate location in a circuit, do I insert a needle into the wire ?