newb question: effective methods...

Total newbie here...so forgive me if this post is horribly lame.

Not exactly an automotive technician here...

Anyway, it's a '91 RS, 3.1 V6.

What are the most effective methods for checking for fuel and spark without shocking myself or setting the car on fire? lol.

The car cranks, but doesn't start...it's backfired once since I've tried to start it...so I'm assuming that it has some sort of spark.

Any info would be greatly appreciated...Especially considering that it would greatly decrease my chances of possibly blowing my car up, and burning the garage down...:banghead:

First look at all the wiring connections for the sensors, coils, plugs, etc.. Remove a sparkplug, one of the easy ones, do you smell gas on it? Ground the plug to the block while someone turns over the engine, do you see any spark? This should get you started. Let us know what you find.

Go to autozone and loan out a fuel pressure checker thingy. I think they also have an ignition checker thing too.

May sound stupid... but have you made sure all your spark plug wires are wired properly. Having 2 mixed up can easily cause a misfire.

I'll take the plug out and see if it sparks and smells like gasoline.

Sadly, the nearest AutoZone is over 35 miles away. Too far out of my way for something so small.

Ironically, the plug wires were installed wrong when I bought the car. They were actually installed backwards. Sadly, correcting this didn't fix the problem.

Thanks for all the help. As soon as the weather clears up, I'll get on checking all of those things. I'll keep you posted.

Well, after a very long wait...finally figured it all out. She was out of time pretty bad, and had two fouled plugs. Fired right up. I was amazed.

Thanks for all the help, everyone. Much appreciated.

glad you found the problem. Good job

Good job, remember fellas, when you're scratching head and getting frustrated: k.i.s.s.

keep it simple stupid :icon16:

I used ot have it written over my ol dworkbench, gotta find it for my new one. :)

I'll have to remember that.

Anyway, thanks again for all the help.