Engine will not start got spark to plugs

Could be timing problem , timing belt or chain . The spark isn't happen at the right time . What make , model , year vehicle ? Engine size. The coil fire's when turned on by the PCM/ECM - engine computer , PCM/ECM knows by input from the crankshaft position sensor .

Only two things can cause this (1) not getting gas and or (2) not getting spark.
Have someone crank while you hold spark plug wire just of off spark plug, if you see spark from wire too motor block then put a little gas into carb and see if it fires if it fires then look for a gas line or gas tank problem.

Hi Charles:
I'd start by checking the spark plug condition and function.
Wet........... no spark
Dry............ no fuel
Check for spark anyway. Hot and blue.
Try priming carb with a squirt of gas.
Drain and flush carb. You may need to remove and thoroughly clean if gummed up.

Did you check for spark at more than one or two spark plugs? The spark is there, and the spark plugs are wet with gas? Is it flooded? Or is it getting too much gas? For a flooded engine, you know to open the intake valve wide open by holding the gas pedal to the floor, and cranking for up to 15 seconds? This will let a lot of air in and clear out most of the excess gas. Or have you tried this already?
Spark, gas, and compression: that is all that the cylinders need to run. In a well-timed engine, that is. A little gas/air mixture, then compression, then a spark is delivered and it runs. One of those three things is not right or missing for your engine not to start. Or you will have to recheck timing.

Depending upon your level of expertise I would say pull a spark plug and look for a spark.

Any gas combustion engine requires a fuel mixture and spark to "fire" If you know your spark plugs are firing, then the problem is most likely going to be fuel flow.

If it doesn't fire AT ALL. and you are sure you have a good spark, then its probably going to be a computer controlled fuel flow issue.

Are you getting any "service engine soon" lights? Got a really good charge on the battery? Is the engine cold like below freezing? And I gotta ask.... are your sure there is enough gas in the tank? If its low and sitting on a hill its possible its not getting any gas.

If you smell gas it is getting gas, if not check the fuel filter. Next thing to check is to see if there is a spark. Remove the spark plug from the engine. Have someone crank the engine with the spark plug grounded, see if there is a spark. Also check for the smell of gas in the spark plug hole.

If it turns, then the battery is OK. Either spark plugs are not firing in proper order (wrong firing order), no power to spark plugs, or no fuel because of fuel restrictions (dirty fuel filter). Inspect the air filter to ascertain its not clogged air. If you smell gas, then you saturated the spark plugs, which is why it refuses to run.
Let it sit for half hour to let spark plugs dry. Inspect to ascertain its not dirty spark plugs, which will also prevent engine from running. After ascertaining its proper firing order, spark plugs are clean, and there's power to distributor cap, ascertain there's fuel in fuel lines by squirting half second (short squirt) of starting fluid into air filter. Close the air filter housing to trap flammable starting fluid gas. Turn engine without giving throttle. Let starting fluid be ignited by spark plugs. If it won't start, then spark plugs are not firing to ignite starting fluid gas. If it starts briefly, but won't run when you give throttle, but catches when a 2nd person squirts more starting fluid into air filter just before engine stalls, then its a fuel restriction issue or no fuel in fuel lines.

A car needs 3 things to start. Air, fuel, and spark. Check that it can get air by removing the air cleaner and inspecting it. Leave the air cleaner off for now. Try a squirt of starting fluid into the carburetor (not a lot mind you, just a quick squirt). Be prepared to quench a flame if the engine backfires through the carburetor (have a wet towel handy). Crank the engine. If it fires, you have spark. If it does not fire, you have ignition problems. If it fires and stalls out quickly, you have fuel problems.
For fuel problems: Be sure you have gas! (I know it is obvious, but check the tank!). If the car has not been used for awhile, the gas may have gummed up the carburetor. While it is possible for the weekend mechanic to take a carburetor apart and clean it, it is probably best left to a professional mechanic. Verify that you are getting gas to the carburetor by detaching the rubber gasoline hose at the carburetor. Most cars today have electric fuel pumps, so turning on the ignition should result in a stream of fuel from the gasoline hose. If not, crank the engine and see if a mechanical fuel pump moves the gas. If you get no gas, find out why or your car will never start. If you get gas, the carb is probably gummed up. It is best to conduct this last test into a mason jar to catch the gas, and it is best to postpone the cigarette break until after the test is complete.
If you suspect the ignition, pull a spark plug. It should look clean and whitish to light coffee color. If it is filled with carbon and oil, you have other engine problems. You can look for an ignition spark by laying the plug case against the engine while it is attached to the distributor wire. Crank the engine and you should see a spark jump the gap at the spark plug tip. This spark is often small and hard to see in sunlight. Do not perform the spark plug test in the temporal vicinity of the fuel test. A hot spark with gasoline nearby is dangerous.

A car that turns over means that at least the battery is good. Try next to insure it has air, gas, and spark.

Check Spark and Fuel, one is missing. If both are there then floor the gas padle and try again, donot pump gas as the spark plugs get flooded with gas and wont fire up the engine.

I don't have enough info to give you a specific answer so I've listed a bunch of possible problem that could cause your engine to roll over but not start.
Check the battery and connections, a weak battery or bad connections can cause a weak spark and stop the engine from firing.
Fuel pump or fuel filter, low gas pressure can cause to lean of a air/fuel mixture for the engine to start.
Bad gas, old gas or water in the gas can stop the engine from firing.
Bad or fouled spark plugs, could be caused by bad gas.
Ignition wiring problems, can cause weak or unreliable spark.
Bad, poorly connected or misconnected spark plug wires. Even 2 wire out of order can stop the engine from firing.
Oily spark plug wires, can cause the spark to fire at the wrong cylinder or misfire.
Worn, damaged or wet ignition components.