Cranks but won't Start!

I have a recently acquired '99 S10....4 cylinder, 5 speed. It has been hard to start on several occasions requiring cranking 8 or 10 times before starting, This is usually when the engine is cold. Yesterday I stopped at Lowes and when I came out the truck would not start. The engine was still warm, It finally started after cranking many times during a 45 minutes time period. After starting it always runs fine and does not miss or try to die. After yesterdays problem the "service engine soon" light came on and stayed on. This was after I disconnected the battery while waiting for it to start. I thought this might reset the computer. I don't know if this caused the light to come on or not. The truck has new plugs and wires.

I am a new member. All responses are welcome. I enjoy this forum.

Jake

If you had a check engine light it should have stored a code. Hit a parts store like Auto Zone and see if they can get the stored code. I would change the fuel filter and put dry gas and injector cleaner in tank when you fill up, Have you changed the cap and rotor? By the way you can pull the fuzes for the computer and not have to disconnect the battery. I hate resetting radio stations.

try checking fuel pressure , the 98+ s-10 are notorious for leaking at teh pressure line inside the tank , but i dont think ive seen it happen on a 4 culinder , but that doesnt mean it cant happen. when you get a fuel pressure gauge on there , i belive the pressure should be somewhere aronud 50-60 PSI , and that just turning the key and not starting it , and it needs to hold pressure as well , if it goes off and dumps off immidiatly after the fuel pump shuts off for priming , you have a pressure leak

no cap and rotor on the 99 with the 2.2- got a coil pack.
first check spark plugs and wires if just replaced- might have a bad one. second check for gas- fuel pump/pressure. pressure should be 54 psi. also, try giving a little gas when you start- could be a weak spark from a weak coil pack. on the 98 2.2, you must pull the motor to replace the coil pack. good luck