Isuzu Repair: 1995 rodeo will not start, fuel pressure regulator, interference engines

Question
hi,
i have a 1995 isuzu rodeo with a 3.2 5 speed.
it has 230k and ran great until yesterday.
yesterday i was driving and after about 3 miles with no warning it just died at a stop sign and would not start back up.
it turns over just fine but will not start .
a passer-by said it could be a broken timing belt and i probably messed up the engine trying to start it.
any ideas of what i should check to figure out what the problem is?
if it is the belt- what could be damaged from starter turnover after it stalled ?
thanks,craig

Answer
Well craig, the timing belt rotates the camshafts, crankshaft, and water pump and oil pump. If that broke, then the only thing that is rotaing is the starter armature shaft. The passer-by needs some schooling it sounds like. It could be your fuel pump quit working or your fuel pressure regulator quit. If your timing belt did break while the engine was running, it would bend the valves and ruin your engine. PRAY THIS DID NOT HAPPEN!! These are known as interference engines. That means there is zero clearance between the pistons and valves, so the engine must be in perfect timing. Also, on some rodeos the main wiring harness has known to have a bad ground causing the wires to separate and cause a no start condition, check this as well. If you need any more help please let me know. I reside very close  to Oklahoma City. If you would like we can schedule a meeting so i can examine the motor.