88 Lesabre won't start

I drove my Lesabre to lunch today without a problem. It was about a 10 minute drive. I turned off the car and went into the restaraunt for about 15 minutes. When I returned I noticed my headlights were on so I turned them off and attempted to start the car. I turned over but when I got it started it idled very wierd, like a plug wire was pulled. I pressed the gas peddle but it didn't have any effect. The car died. I did this several times with the same result. I gave up and returned about 4 hours later. This time the car would crank but not turn over. The radio, wipers, lights,... all work fine. I tried to jump it just in case but it didn't help. Any ideas? We're getting ready to be snowed on and I need to get my car home before they tow it. FYI, 156K miles, 3800 V, plenty of fuel.

Okay, check the plug wires, make sure they are all sparking. It sound like the snow caused a temperature drop. It might have caused the coil(s) to fail. Check to make sure the coils are sparking as well.

Thanks for the suggestion. I just went back to the car and changed the plugs and wires. No luck. How can I check the coil? I really don't have anyone that can help and besides that the battery is fairly drained and the car won't crank very easy anymore.

Thanks,
Andy

Just remove the wire off the coil with the car running (wear rubber gloves, or use a plastic pliers). Each coil should have a even, violent blue spark, and the motor should not die when the cable is removed.

Thanks for the info and suggestion but the problem here is that the car won't start. Your instructions indicate that the car must be running. If it was running my problem would be solved.

Thanks,
Andy

Sorry,
Okay, If you have a friend who has a car, and is willing to swap a few coils, you'd be set to test yours.
If not, just remove one cable from the coil, and crank the motor. If you see a spark come from the coil, it shouldn't have a problem. Try it with each of the coils. If none of them spark, then either the crank sensor or the computer went bad. Try the crank sensor first, as that is most likely the problem given the fact that it started rough a few times. See if you can get one used from a junkyard, and swap the old one out. If you replace the computer, which I suggest as a last resort unless you get other evidence, make sure you replace the coils. I have had a bad coil short the computer.

It's also possible that the exhaust may have gotten plugged. Maybe someone didn't like your parking job, or it was just someone who doesn't like you. But, at least check to make sure there isn't anything shoved up the tailpipe.

Some auto parts stores will test coils as a courtesy for their customers. In my area, Autozone provides that service. You might want to call around to see if anybody tests them in your area.