Car won't start, even after replacing bad part

I have a 1996 Nissan Altima GXE 4-Cyl. Last week I drove to a friend's house, and when I went to leave, my car would not start. I had a friend help me diagnose the problem, and we found that there was no spark coming from the ignition coil going to the distributor. I did a dignostic on the cars computer and it gave me the Trouble Code 11 which means a bad Crankshaft Position Sensor. So I replaced it, cleared the computer, and it still won't start. I thought that I had a bad sensor, so I put another one in, and it still won't start. I also replaced the coil, and that didn't help. I tested the wire going to my coil with a multimiliamp meter and found that no power is going to the coil. Could I have bought two bad sensors, or is something else wrong? Please help!?!?!?

David

One long flash followed by one short flash on a 96 is a code 0101 which indicates a bad Camshaft Position Sensor. The Camshaft Position Sensor is inside the distributor and its purpose is sending signals to the ECM that result in spark and fuel injector actuation. The Crankshaft Position Sensor is on the transmission bellhousing, its signals are used by the ECM to diagnose engine miss-fire. A bad Crankshaft Position Sensor will not effect engine performance or keep it from starting. If you remove the distributor cap you will probably find oil will leak from the distributor. Wash the oil out, put the cap back on and the engine may start. If it still won't start, search Ebay for a new distributor or take your chances with a rebuilt distributor that costs more.

If you remove the distributor cap you will probably find oil will leak from the distributor. Wash the oil out, put the cap back on and the engine may start. If it still won't start, search Ebay for a new distributor or take your chances with a rebuilt distributor that costs more.

You were right, it was a bad cam sensor. I replaced the distributor and the car started right up. Thanks for your advice, it really did help. I bought a book on the Altima, so hopefully it will help me with any future problems. Thanks again.