Engine will not stay started. I have replaced idle control valve map sensor spark plugs spark plug wires no check engine light is

Engine backfires car will not stay idling idle jumps up and down up and down at the top end have replaced map sensor spark plug spark plug wires idle control valve no check engine light at this time but has plugged in the ECU and got to go back for engine running too lean
Now it seems to have no spark I believe I've put a screwdriver in the spark plug wire and
against the block and got no fire

My car has 200000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
You have a problem with the distributor assembly. I recommend replacing the distributor assembly. This will replace all the possible sensors and coil for the ignition and fix the problem you have.

How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?

Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :

Loss of spark is caused by anything that prevents coil voltage from jumping the electrode gap at the end of the spark plug. This includes worn, fouled or damaged spark plugs, bad plug wires or a cracked distributor cap.
If the ignition coil does not have spark, it`s time to check its wires. Use a test light to check the continuity on the signal wire and power wire on the ignition coil. If both wires are functional but the coil fails to produce spark, the ignition coil or the ignition control module is bad.
A Bad Crankshaft Position Sensor

The crankshaft position sensor monitors the position and rotational speeds of the crankshaft. Without the crank sensor, the engine control module (ECM) wouldn`t know when to fire the fuel injectors and ignite the spark plugs.

Worn/failed spark plugs, coil packs, or spark plug wires can trigger your check engine light to come on. In today`s cars, say Firestone Complete Auto Care technicians, if a plug starts to fail then the most obvious event should be the check engine light coming on or even flashing.
One of the first symptoms of a problem with the ignition module are engine performance issues. If the ignition module fails or has any problems it can lead to performance issues with the vehicle, such as misfires, hesitation, loss of power, and even reduced fuel economy.
The most common causes of misfires are worn, improperly installed, and mishandled spark plugs, malfunctioning ignition coils, carbon tracking, faulty spark plug wires and vacuum leaks.
your engine misfires and shakes: if a map sensor reports a false high pressure reading, the engine`s computer will signal for more fuel. this results in a rich mixture, which can foul the spark plugs and cause a cylinder not to fire.
The crankshaft position sensor monitors the position and speed of the crankshaft and other parameters that play an important role when starting the engine. If the crankshaft position sensor is having a problem, the vehicle may have intermittent starting issues or not start at all.
Bad spark plug wires can interfere with the electrical current flowing to the engine, making it difficult for the engine to complete the combustion cycle. An incomplete combustion cycle can cause an engine to misfire, which means your car may jerk, stumble, or briefly lose power.
Engine stalling

One of the first symptoms of a bad ignition pickup is an engine that stalls. An old or failing ignition pickup may cut out signal intermittently, which may cause the engine to stall. The engine may suddenly just shut off, almost as if the key had been turned off.

The ignition control module is a solid-state switching device that controls the operation of the ignition coil or coils. It is a small, high-current circuit used to ground the negative side of the coil in order to build charge.
Car suddenly stalls while operating: One of the most common symptoms of a failed ignition relay is a car that suddenly stalls while operating. If the ignition relay shorts, burns out, or otherwise fails while the engine is operating it will cut off power to the fuel pump and ignition system.
A difficult start could be due to a number of things, from a dying battery to a faulty starter. But if your vehicle has a hard time starting after sitting for just a few hours, it can cause an extra layer of confusion. When this happens, one of the most common causes is low fuel pressure.
Bad Spark Plugs

If the engine holds compression well, and the fuel system is working correctly, but it still won`t start, that tells us that your car`s spark plugs may not be working. The spark plugs ignite the air/fuel mixture inside the engine`s cylinders. It`s the resulting explosion that actually powers your car.

A clogged or failed exhaust gas recirculation or crankcase ventilation valve or faulty oxygen sensor can send the wrong signals to the computer and cause misfires.
A dead battery is one of the most common reasons why your car won`t start. Check the battery terminals for corrosion and clean them using a wire brush or battery cleaning solution. If the battery is old or damaged, it may need to be replaced entirely.
Make Sure the Gas is On

Therefore, the first step in diagnosing ignition failure is to make sure the gas is turned on. If your furnace starts after the fuel source is turned on, you`ve solved your problem.

The ohmic resistance of the coil is around 0.2–3.0 Ω on the primary side and around 5–20 kΩ on the secondary side.
Reasons for failure of the camshaft sensor can be: Mechanical damage. Break in the encoder wheel. Internal short circuits.
The most common failure is the crankshaft position sensor. These fail much more frequently than the cam sensor and will cause a no start. It can also occur if the timing belt broke or jumped a tooth. I would do a compression test also to see if there is low compression.
As the MAP sensor fails, it can cause various issues with the fuel system and vehicle performance. An inaccurate reading from the sensor will cause the computer to change the amount of fuel it sends, which can rob the engine of power or cause it to run poorly.
Hard start symptoms and starter failure may NOT be caused by the starter, but could actually be caused by the crankshaft position sensor. If your vehicle is experiencing one or more of these symptoms, the crankshaft sensor may be at fault.
The O2 sensor will not cause the no start. The no start can be caused by the fuel pump or the ignition system. You should check the engine for spark and fuel pressure, when it is not turning on to help narrow the problem down.
make sure every ground wire is connected properly . Some loose ground wire could even make your vehicle not to start. Yes, it will cause a misfire, just dirt on a coil can cause a misfire, bad plugs, wrong plugs, wrong wires all can cause a misfire even a sticking valve can cause a misfire.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

Engine will not stay started. I have replaced idle control valve map sensor spark plugs spark plug wires no check engine light is
ANSWER : You have a problem with the distributor assembly. I recommend replacing the distributor assembly. This will replace all the possible sensors and coil for the ignition and fix the problem you have.

check engine light O2 sensor already replaced same codes still popping up after replacing old O2 sensor
ANSWER : Hi there. What you received from the parts store was a code retrieval, not a diagnostic. The codes are set when a fault is detected against normal operating parameter. The computer does not know what caused the fault, only that the fault meets the criteria for this code to set. There could be a problem in the wire harness, converter, or the ECM. The code and data are needed to properly assess the direction that a diagnosis needs. I strongly suggest having a qualified technician perform an inspection to avoid replacing unnecessary parts. Your Mechanic has several available technicians that can assist you with a check engine light inspection.

O2 sensors changed, but check engine light still showing code after clearing it I checked fuse. Wires are good and used Denso OE.
ANSWER : Depending on what the code was for will determine if the oxygen sensor was to be replaced. If the conditions were for a rich or lean mixture and it said oxygen sensor, then the spark plugs and wires could need replaced if its a rich reading or the fuel injectors could be clogged or not working if its a lean mixture. If the code said that the oxygen sensor was bad, then check the harness and see if there is a break in the wiring or a short to ground in the wiring from the oxygen sensor to the main harness. If you need further assistance with your check engine light being on, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.

Car won’t start, check engine light is out but other lights are on, got new control and immobilizer but the problem remains.
ANSWER : Hi, thanks for writing in. It is possible that your check engine light bulb could be out. I would recommend having a qualified professional remove your instrument cluster to determine if the bulb for the check engine light has failed. If the bulb has failed, I would recommend having it replaced and see if your results change. If the bulb is not faulty, it is possible that something was installed incorrectly during the most recent repair. I would recommend retracing your steps to determine if any steps were skipped over or done improperly. This will help to determine the cause of why the check engine light will not work. If you would like help, consider having an expert automotive technician from YourMechanic come to your home or office to inspect your electrical system for you, and make or suggest any repairs as needed.

High idling, jumping while idling, idle air control valve code
ANSWER : Hi there. This can be caused by the issues that you mentioned or a number of other things. You need to make sure all of the connectors are making good contact. I would then need to know what codes are in the computer to know if this is a circuit issue or not. Most of the time, it is not the circuit but instead a vacuum leak.

If there is a vacuum leak, then the vehicle will act like this and the computer cannot control the idle. Most of the time it is a bad hose or an EGR valve that is stuck open. That is the most common cause for this. I typically remove the EGR to check it to feel the diaphragm on the bottom of it to see if it is moving correctly. If you need to have this repaired, consider YourMechanic, as a certified mechanic can come to your home or office to diagnose and repair your car’s idling issue.

Car started to slow down and then the check engine light, battery, and engine oil light came on. What could cause this?
ANSWER : Hi there. It is possible that the battery cable came loose or the wires to the oil pressure sensor has came loose or failed. Check the battery cables and make sure that the terminals are tight and clean. Check the wires to the oil pressure sensor and make sure that they are connected and not broken. If everything looks good, then the oil pressure sensor may have failed. Plus, check the computer for codes and see what is stored. This will lead you to the part that could have failed. I recommend replacing the oil pressure sensor then checking to see if the lights will go out. If you need further assistance troubleshooting your vehicle, then seek out a technician, such as one from Your Mechanic, that can assist you with the warning lights that came on.

I have a 96 Ford ranger with cel p0340 I have recently done a timing belt, engine runs great replaced cmp sensor cel still on
ANSWER : Hi There,
This may happen for a couple of reasons. First, check to be sure that the connections to the sensor are clean and not faulty or broken. Secondly, check to be sure you replaced the correct sensor as there are two camshaft position sensors in some applications. If you need further help with this, please reach out to us here at YourMechanic as we are always here to help.

Abs light, emergency brake light, steering wheel assist light, engine light, EPC light, traction control light
ANSWER : Hello, thank you for writing in. The vehicle does utilize a lot of the same sensors for these systems. Are there any other codes that are coming up when this code appears? If so you will want to take these into consideration when processing the repair and making a diagnosis. The module may be bad, and replacing it should fix the problem. The lights should turn off once the main computer recognizes the new module and the sensors sync up. If you believe the sensors need to be cleaned you may do so. Do as minimal as possible to make sure you are not damaging the sensor or disrupting the wiring inside. A bad connection would make the lights stay on. With so many lights that are effected by the module being illuminated, the module is likely bad or does not have a connection. Check the connection first and then resort to replacing the unit. For more help with these electrical tests, contact our service department.