My friend's 98 cx hatch just died as he was driving on the highway. When he tries to start the car, the engine is turning over but nothing happens, not even the check engine light or any of the other lights come on? What could this be, possibly ECU? By the way it's totally stock.

 

maybe he ran out of gas...j/k

 

Check to see if he is getting spark.

 

yup, make a quick check of the bay too, make sure all belts/hoses, ect are intact...no fuel leaking or any other basic stuff you can think of...and try not to get hit by cars if you still on the highway doing all this.

 

distributor? alternator?

 

Check electrical, that is the usual culprit, start with the distributor, and check all parts of it, specifically the ignitor because what you discribed is exactly what happens when your ignitor dies on you.