Pontiac Repair: check engine light came on, crank case, pontiac transport

Question
Hello
I have a 1998 Pontiac Transport and while driving home this evening all of the sudden the service engine soon light came on and starting running rough. When at a stop light the car wanted to shut off.  As I pulled into a lot it did stop running but started again.  About one block later the light came on again and was running very rough like it was missing and the only way to keep it running was to keep your foot on the gas.  Once home when I tried to start it again it did not want to turn over at all.  I put the car in neutral and it started but again the light came on and it was running like it wasn't getting enough gas or missing.  It has 113000 miles on it but has been a great runner and gets about 24 miles per gal on the highway. The oil level is fine and so is the coolant. Do you have any thoughts on what may be going on?  I know I will have to take it in to a shop but any ideas you may have would be greatly appreciated.  You helped me out tremendously some months back and for that I want to thank you again.

Answer
Hi Duncan:

well it can be a few things. An engine mechanical issue make sure all the fluids are full once the engine has cooled down. If it's low on coolant that is NOT a good thing. It may be burning it or leaking into the engine crank case! It could be low on fuel pressure that engine needs about 45 PSI of pressure to run correctly. It could have a bad ignition coil or wire set. Was it wet/damp out when this happened? You can get a spark checker and make sure you spark on all 6 cylinders If you missing anyone of these things that is where you want to start looking then.