1984 Ram Crank No Start

I beleive that by '84 Chrysler had changed to ECU's that no longer required the 5th pin and 5 ohm resistor to control power for running the ECU. The plug was never changed. it may have the 5th ire removed.

What wire did you touch to ground?
If its the controlling primary wire (connected to the - terminal), touching to ground completes the circuit (assuming the key is in run or start). Breaking that connection causes the coil to discharge high voltage to the distributor through the secondary or high voltage wire.