crank sensor isnt broken and wires are fine

 

if the crank sensor was bad or going bad would it throw a code that ill be able to see?

 

Not always. But I don't see whether it's working or not, how it's going to effect how the motor turns over. All I know is, if the plenum was blown you need to get the o2 out. It needs replace even if the cat is not clogged.

 

Pull the number one spark plug, and roll the engine over with a socket on the crank bolt, stick your finger in the hole. Compression will let ya know when number one is coming up on the compression stroke.

 

There are two ways to make sure the motor is at tdc comp, 1 there is a timing mark on the motor and the harmonic balancer, line up the marks one time and check the rotors position, then keep turning the motor over till the marks line up one more time, again check the rotors position when the marks line up. One will be 180 out and the other will be tdc comp and pointing to number 1 on the cap. The other way is to pull the drivers side valve cover, turn the motor over till the intake valve opens then closes, keep turning the motor over and the marks will line up, that is tdc comp stroke.

These tests should not be done with the key, use a 1/2 drive ratchet and a socket on the crank, with the spark plugs out of the motor it make things much easier.

 

ok, i will check the rotor in a few.

more food for thought...
i just wired in the obd2 data plug and pulled the codes. i get 3
p0443 evap purge solenoid. not related, i know why im getting this
p0118 coolant temp sensor high input.
p1492 ambient battery temp sensor hi... <-- what?

after that i cleared them and tried to start it, same thing. then i ran the code reader again and got the same 3 codes

 

How do you wire in an obd2 port to an obd1 system?

 

He has 96 engine/trans/pcm/wiring harness. Previous owner converted it.

For the coolant temp sensor, have a look at this thread.

 

Oh, so I missed that in the other thread ? LOL Should be only one thread anyway. Getting confusing.

 

sorry for multiple threads. could the ambient battery temp be at all related to whats going on?

would new plug wires be a possible fix? it seems like a long shot to me that they are arcing enough and constant enough to not run even rough

the rain is back now so i cant do anymore testing/checking till its done