Looks like your points are stuck open, which means either:

1) Bad (corroded, etc) points: replace
2) Grossly misadjusted points
3) Ground lug for points is disconnected.

The points should show 0 volts until they are open for a short period
(firing). Then, you should see 12 V. If they show 12 V all the time,
something is wrong with the points (that circuit is open)

Question: does your coil get warm? Probably not, since the ground never
sees ground.

Disclaimer: it's been awhile since I've owned a Vanagon with a distributor
(i'm a diesel guy), so this is from memory, and I was just out working on
our Splitty (which does have a dist, but predates Vanagon by about 13
years)

Jon

On Sat, 15 Jul 2006, chris wrote:

> ok, still no spark unfortunately.
>
> The starter turns just fine, plenty of juice.
> Had partner crank motor over to check spark from coil, but nothing is
> there.
>
> 1. checked voltage from negative coil to ground, 12V.
> 2. cranked engine until points were open, then checked negative coil to
> ground, still 12V when points are open.
>
> Does this mean the distributor is 'shorted', as the troubleshooting
> guide in my Clymer manual suggests?
>
>
> I checked the 'double relay' per the directions in Bentley and it turned
> out to be just fine.
>