Nissan Repair: NISSAN PROBLEMS, fuel pressure gauge, haynes manual

Question
I have a 1992 Nissan Serena Van (Japanese model)with a 4-cylinder engine at about 75k miles.  It ran fine and problem free until today without warning.  I drove about 6 miles, parked for 30 minutes, returned to the vehicle and it wouldn't start.  It would chug along at low rpms for a short time and die as I made several attempts to start the engine.  I let it set for about 45 minutes and made a new attempt to start it.  This time, it only turns over without the chugging engine, as if there's no fuel.  Any recommendations?

Answer
Paul,

It is either fuel or spark.  First, charge the battery and then have someone crank it while you check for spark.  To do this pull a plug wire and ground it to the engine and while the car is cranked pull the wire away from the engine about 1/16 of an inch and see if you get a spark.  You might need to insert a paper clip to contact the connection inside the boot and then hold the end of the wire to the block.  If you have fire then you need to check for fuel by getting a fuel pressure gauge and screw it into the fuel rail and then turn the car on and see if you have pressure.  If you do then you need to check the timing to see if the engine has jumped timing and if that is ok then look at the distributor to see if there are oil on the optics.  You did not say if there was a check engine light?  If so check the code.  Get a Haynes manual to get the code values.  If you need more help email me back.