I have an 89 poniac firebird 2.8 ltr V6. long story short..... It would crank over but not start, with starter fluid it would start and SOMETIMES even idle. I replaced the distributor, and put in a new coil. I used a timing light to time it BUT for some reason the coil isnt putting out spark. When I first put it in it gave spark and ran for about 3 seconds. When I tried to start it again there was no spark coming from the coil. the main problem is AFTER I bought the car from the guy I learned he likes to rig cars so they run bad and people give them back. I found the fuel clamp wasn't on the main fuel line under the car. and a few other things he did. My main question is... what causes the coil to not give spark?

 

Sounds more like fuel issue than spark if it will fire and idle with starting fluid then you have spark my bet would be fuel pressure testing and probably replace the pump and filter and see where your at then

 

Well I got it to idle but then the coil quit giving spark, we replaced the distributor and nothing... We got a new coil and it gave enough spark to turn over one time and run for 3 seconds, then it quit giving spark again. any clue?

 

Vehicle anti theft.... commonly known as vats. Does Ur key have a little resistor pellet in it? It should being an 89

 

thats what I thought but my friend says if it was that the it wouldn't crank.....