1994 Bosch system, maybe 200K miles and almost starts. The son's car slowed fairly quickly, puttered out, on the road and he lives 100 miles away. Basic checks have been made. Timing belt intact, new CPS, new FPR, JY coil installed. Has fuel and spark, at least on #1 plug and there are no codes.

There was a long history of stalling and restarting shortly after which I did not know about and may have been fixed with a new FPR. About 500 miles ago, I replaced the in-tank pump because of failure symptoms and it did run better after.

This weekend I'll drive down with 15O lbs of tools, a charger, FP gauge, make and make some checks, easy ones first.
check for codes again
align timing marks to check jumped T-belt or a broken cam gear roll pin(*1)
fuel and spark on the other plugs
check the distributor cap and rotor
check jumping sparks at night
sub my power stage for his (*2)
armed with a new fuel pressure regulator
check operation of main fuel pump. I am armed with a new spare main fuel pump.
pull the cat plug to check blockage

I will review past posts and the FAQ but I am leaning toward *2, the power stage based on past history but would that explain an almost but no start?

The T-belt is tight but a broken cam gear roll pin, *1, would explain death with a no start.

Tom

Switch the fan radio suppression relay with the fuel injection relay (they're the same part next to each other).

Yes, thanks, I should have thought of that. But I think the fan relays changed sometime back. Mailing a RSR to my son.

Tom

I have had a Power Stage go my 940. It would just die completely while running, and the re-start perfectly and then repeat same cycle. I'd bring some starter fluid and see if it starts on the fluid, then dies when fluid is exhausted. Then ya know its a fuel issue. I had a 90 740 Regina that exhibited identical symptoms and they were solved by a new coil and/or cleaning the crap out of the coil to body ground(did both simultaneously so I cant say definitively which was the cure). Just a thought...could Cat be clogged?

I have not ruled out the power stage, seem unlikely but there have been symptoms of that in the past. Good idea on the starter fluid. If I have to make a 100 mile trip, grounds will be addressed.

Tom

Most common in this situation is the rsr, Radio Suppression Relay, which is really the fuel injection relay. But you say there is fuel And spark...hmm. Where is there fuel, after the injectors, or before? There can be fuel in the rail but if the injectors don't flow, due to no signal or due to low pressure (clogged filter) that could be it.
Power stage is unlikely as there's spark, and the cps is unlikely for the same reason.

These no start post I read really bother me. Thanks. Still no answer on this one: 940 No Start. Checking RSR....

Fuel on #1 plug according to my son, not me. I think I'll express mail a new spare RSR, save some gas and keep my fingers crossed. RSR failures are rare but I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Tom