Distributor troubleshooting

I have been checking the voltage with the power wire connected to the correct terminal on the dist cap. I had the meter set and had the terminals connected to the dist not just the wire. I was checking the voltage as I was trying to start the engine with the key. I am going to take the pickup coil to autozone and have them check that. For now I put my points dist back in the car so I can move it until I get this sorted out