94 Achieva timing? ECM? Help!!

I have an Achieva that won't run. It quit a while ago at which time I replaced the O2 sensor, fuel filter and plugs. I let it sit a while and recently replaced both coils and the battery. Before I replaced both coils, the car refused to start. Once I replaced them, it started but ran really rough off of a jump start. I replaced the battery to remove the jump start. My SnapOn diagnostic said to check the alternator for AC voltage so I did, but the car only ran for a short minute so I did not get a good reading on the ripple tester. After that, it wouldn't start again, acting the same as before I changed the coils.

Question--would A.C. Voltage destroy these coils? Would it screw the ECM enough to run rough? I got no codes on a scanner and when it ran, the engine backfired and the spark advance went to 1. Anyone got any clues about why this Achieva is dying?

Can you please say what engine you have in the car?

Sorry, 2.4L DOHC (4 banger)