Hi guys, My 93 850 died yesterday in the rain. It was running a bit rough then the engine just quit. Tried to restart to no avail.I let it sit and dry out for the night but that did nothing. Cranks somewhat slow so i tried to jump it but that did not work. I've replaced distributor and rotor. Still same symptoms. I dont smell any fuel when im cranking it either... any ideas? If not do you know of any good shops in the easton, mass area? Im at stonehill college and am out of school on thursday and would like to go home. Thanks for the help

Does the engine *try* to start, or does it simply crank over and over again?

If the engine tries to start, and then stumbles to a stop, you may have a massive induction leak. This is the sort of sound that happens when a vacuum hose falls off the idle air motor.

The idle air motor is located under the black plastic cover at the front of the engine. I'll be held there by a torx screw. I'd tell you the size, but I replaced mine with a phillips head after an unfortunate incident involving dropping my factory screw into... uh... well... I'm not sure where... and that's why I have a phillips.
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I had something like this when it was wet. Changed the ignition wires and all has been ok since.

How many miles on your car???

When was the timing belt last changed???

Have you checked the timing belt???

If his timing belt broke he would have heard a very loud noise before the engine quit... my bet's on the fuel pump or maybe fuel pump relay.

When the timing belt goes there is not always a noise. He said the car was running rough before it happened. If the belt first slipped, the timing would be off a bit and would run rough.

I hope it's the fuel pump and not the timing belt. If it was the timing belt he's going to need a new engine. The 5 cylinder engine is an interferance engine (the valves and pistons occupy the same area at different times. The timing belt keeps them apart). The pistons hit the valve while they are open bending them. That will require a rebuilt head at the least. With the value of the car what it is, a another car may be cheaper.

1993 was the first year of this design in the US. They change the belt design in 1994 because of the failure rate they experienced.

Too many people ignore the timing belt maintenance as it's about $500, but it's cheaper than the alternative.

possible your fuel pump relay.

Sounds like what happened to my 1994 850 when the fuel pump died... you say no gas smell that's a good clue that the gas is not getting to the engine. Mine died while driving along and the engine just quit... pushed it to the side and then got it started again, limped it to the gas station. But for many people the pump just dies, no warning and never works again. Seems to be a weak point on the 850, it cost me $400 to have replaced with a new pump. You could go with a used pump but most of the cost is labor.