Dodge Repair: 1994 dakota, distributer cap, phillips screwdriver

Question
I was sitting at a stop light when the engine just stopped.  everything seemed normal prior to stopping.  checking it out I hae no spark.  I Tried to take codes and noticed that the chack engine light is not lighting.  I almost suspect the computer is dead.  The engine cranks fine but does nothing else.  Any ideas, guidance or suggestions woulod be greatly appreciated.  Thanks, Mike

Answer
Hi Mike,
Well first the computer or (Drive Train Control Module) Dosen't usually go out like thet.
The first thing to do is get a voltage meter.  Check to see if you have fire going into the coil.  Then take the coil wire off placing a phillips screwdriver into the end of the coil wire.  Being very careful not to get your fingers close to the metal balde, get the blade close to a ground.  See if you have fire there.  
It sounds more to me like you have a defective distributer.  A rebuilt distributor will cost between 50 - 60 dollars at auto zone.  Remove the old distributer cap.  Look where the rotor button is pointing.  scratch a mark on the side of the distributor.  Then remove the bolt at the base of the distributor.  In an upward motion pull the old distributor out.  replace the rotor button turning the rotor to where it points to where you made the scratch on the old distributor ( don't worry that it is only close as it will not go in unless it is either on the mark or 180 cegrees off.  Replace the cap and start it up.  You will sometimes need another person to start the motor while you turn the distributor to get in line to fire at the right time.  Before starting the engine make sure that the bolt at the base of the distributor is loose enough for you to turn it.  Then if it doesn't start turn the distributor very slowly until it does.  You will have to have the timming set after the repair.  If you have a timming light it sets 10 degrees before top dead center.

Cowboy 1104