[Metallicat51]

Ok last month I got in my '98 Escort and drove my son to practice... Then two hours later my car wouldn't start, but would turn over. Some time making an odd sound while it tried to turn over.
Now I've checked the fuel pump, fuel filter, spark plugs (they did seem to be very dark and smelled of gas only 3 month old), battery, all seem to funtion ok. We have taken one of the plugs out and checked to see if we had spark againt the block (and do) and I'm stuck I need more direction, I have limited funds so I need to do as much of the work my self as possible, so any help would be greatly appreciated. Oh, by the way the car had ran fine up until it just wouldn't start, and the "check engine" light had been on since I got the car.