Lost power and died

Any idea what could cause the motor to pop like a backfire then just die and loose all power like I had turn the damn thing off. I still had lights and all electric seemed operational. I had Autozone just read my codes and was told that I had random misfires. Was going to get replacement coil packs when this occured. Any help would be appreiciated.!!!

Crank Position sensor failed and caused the engine to shut down. While you are at it change the plugs and wires along with the coils. Bad wires will damage coils. But your major issues is with the CPS.

Thanks, I will look at that. I just pulled the front valve cover to find my main timing chain with slack in it so I am trying to find a diagram to show me more of what I am looking at. I would say the two are gonna go hand in hand.

since you are all ready ripping it apart look at getting an alldatadiy.com account for $25 a year.

you need an OBDii scanner to read (and write down)those computer codes. That should be your first step. Post the codes here if you want.

I wouldn't be taking anything apart until I got the codes read unless there were no codes to begin with.

since you are all ready ripping it apart look at getting an alldatadiy.com account for $25 a year.

you need an OBDii scanner to read (and write down)those computer codes. That should be your first step. Post the codes here if you want.

I wouldn't be taking anything apart until I got the codes read unless there were no codes to begin with.

I opened them moter up to find the left tensioner arm sheered in half and tensioner spring destroyed. I relpaced the entire timing system put it all back together and now have NO fire. Any ideas? the timing is spot on but I have not fire to start. I hate this damn car!!!

If the timing is spot on then check the connections to the CPS and Cam position sensor. If either are misaligned or bad you will not get a spark. One question, are you getting spark but it will not start or are you not getting spark at all? Different items to check if it is spark vs fuel.

If the timing is spot on then check the connections to the CPS and Cam position sensor. If either are misaligned or bad you will not get a spark. One question, are you getting spark but it will not start or are you not getting spark at all? Different items to check if it is spark vs fuel.

I can't physically check for spark but the motor turns over and there is no sound like it is firing and won't start. I do hear the fuel pump kick on as I initiate the key but that is all I have right now. I guess you could say it sounds like and older model that is being turned over with the distributor cap removed. May I also say I really appreciate your assistance I bought a Chiltons Manual but it can be very vague.

Pull a spark plug wire and with an old plug ground it against the block. This is the old method and most would critize me for telling you to do this but hold the wire with insulated pliers and turn it over once or twice. If there is spark then you have a fuel issue if not try the items I mentioned. Also I would do a compression check to make sure that nothing was damaged when the car backfired. Let me know what happens.

Pull a spark plug wire and with an old plug ground it against the block. This is the old method and most would critize me for telling you to do this but hold the wire with insulated pliers and turn it over once or twice. If there is spark then you have a fuel issue if not try the items I mentioned. Also I would do a compression check to make sure that nothing was damaged when the car backfired. Let me know what happens.
That's a great old standard but my 3.5 has the coil packs and no wires. This car is just the damnedest thing. If I can get it running it is out of here on a trade!