I need help. This car has run rough for a while. But decided to quit starting. It will crank but not turn over. I have replaced the distributor, Fuel filter . And tested the pump. It primes. Fuel comes out from the rail. Plugs and wires are good. Replaced the relay. Air filter is good. Disconnected catalytic converter. I've read as much as I could and replacing what I can read. It's my sons car. I'm not a mechanic. And can't afford one. It doesn't have an obd2 to check. When I first got the car we hecked the codes from the ecm ( I think) it said rear oxygen sensor. Replaced it, still said the same code. I've read air, spark, fuel. And I've checked off those as far as I can tell. I'm thinking timing, but it won't run to check. Anyone have any other ideas?

 

you can verify mechanical timing by checking crankshaft and cam alignment.
timing belt might have jumped a bit. mine did it when the ignition coil bought it.
drove me crazy for months. 8(

 

How old is the battery? Check the battery for strong AMPS, doesn't matter that it has 12-12volts. It needs to have good cranking amps.

Also check all of the power and ground connections on the battery and engine. Ensure they are clean and have good contact surfaces.

 

96 and above are obd2. They also have the crank sensor in the timing area, not the distributor. Check ecu for burned or bulging capacitors (they do go bad). Also please erase existing codes after checking to see if new ones cone up.

 

Well we got it started today. The coupling in the distributor was broke. Or possibly called the cam gear. Luckily, we had the original and just swapped. Started right up. Having to replace valve cover gaskets today and then I will drive it. I'm hoping this was the problem all along. It doesn't have an independent2. Which is weird since that's what everything states. It is obd1 on the passenger side. I was told that maybe it was made earlier than the other 96 models. Or I have a freak car. Idk. It does seem problematic for parts. Even the book I have one it showed the cam gear with teeth. Mine didn't have that. Anyway, thank you all for your input. Btw, I put a brand new battery in before the distributor.

 

WoW, that is GREAT news, congrats!