1998 Mercury Tracer Won't Start

Get a starting fluid or ether and spray into the carb or the throttle body on an EFI. Did it start and die? If not disconnect a sparkplug wire or 2 and ground it to the engine -have helper crank engine over-do you have a snapping blue spark? If so-you have a fuel related problem, check the fuel pressure to rule out the fuel filter/fuel pump/pressure regulator and listen to the injector/s are they pulsing or hook up a noid light. No snapping blue spark continue to troubleshoot the ignition system-power input to the coil/coil packs, distributor pick-up coil, ignition control module, cam and crank sensors- Note: If it doesn't apply disregard it

Do you have fuel and spark? Are you missing any of this or you have it but still won't start. When you did above something has to give-

tried all that still no luck. Its time to bring it in to the professionals/dealership

No snapping blue spark continue to troubleshoot the ignition system-power input to the coil/coil packs, distributor pick-up coil, ignition control module, cam and crank sensors- Note: If it doesn't apply disregard it

Swap coil pack and see what happens-It takes 720deg to complete all the cylinders combustion process.

Test the crankshaft position sensor it tells the computer to fire the coil packs-