Pontiac Repair: 96 Grand Am Timing???, crank sensor, cam sensor

Question
Hello,
I have a 98 Grand Am with new plugs, coil packs,module, cam sensor, ox sensor. And I am wondering if I could have a bad crank sensor. The car would start and pull itself but stall and idle very rough. So, we replaced the above items, now that it seems to be getting good spark (2 plugs were very wet - the old ones) it turns over very fast then when it fires it back fires and stalls, when you try to start it again it is like the compression is too high and it works to turn over.  

Answer
Hey Tim:

that enegine was prone to having issues with the coil housings going bad. taht is the big plastic piece under the metal engine cover that the spark plug "boots" attach to the coils will cross fire inside that housing and you wind up having only 2 cylinders fire and it will run rough.. It could also have a bad coil and or ignition module as well but the housing was the most common issue with those.. about 75% of the issue were with that.. It could have an issue with a crank sensor but it woulsn't have spark on any of the cylinders and wouldn't start.. The fact that it kicks back and backfires makes me think it's cross firing in the housing as well... the best way to tell is to get a spark checker and check for spark on all 4 cylinders the firing order on that and every 4 cylinder is 1342 so 1 and 3 and 4 and 2 are paired together so when you check cylinder #1 have #3 plug wire "boot"  grounded.. Good luck :)