Not getting 12 volts to coil

To test directly at the appropriate location in a circuit, do I insert a needle into the wire ?
For the locations with a plastic connector housing a thin probe into the back of the connector until it touches the metal terminal.

In most cases it doesn't need to be a super thin probe, just a standard one will generally do.
A couple of terminals have rubber on them to better seal against moisture. Usually R6 and A1 going into the firewall connector. So I usually skip those locations and go to the next nearest location.

On the column connector on your car, I'm not sure how much room there is to backprobe.

Begin with the easierto access locations.
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Battery positive, Alternator output stud, Alt field J2 (backprobe).
Inside for the firewall connectors - although maybe on your car access is difficult - on mine its not (other than body mechanics!)