While driving home yesterday i realised that my car was lacking alot of power. Then i realised that it was backfireing when I let off the gas. It would not stay idleing at lights either. When i got home at night it really stunk. I woke up to see if I could figure it out and now it won't start. Could it be that my cat is clogged???. I don't see why that would make my car not start.

 

Must likely it's ignition. Start with the ignitors. there are instructions in the manual and elsewhere on this site about how to test them. And if you need a new one, go to the junkyard, where they cost almost nothing, or look on ebay where they are about $20-$30.

B

 

Definatly check all of the ignition system first. If you come up with nothing there take a look at the fuel system. Check the pump and filter first. You should be able to look in the float bowls and see if you have fuel there.

 

There are ohly three problems that will cause a car not to start:
1. Ignition - pull a plug wire, hold the end very close to the engine block (say 1/8th inch) while someone cranks the engine and see if there is a spark. CAUTION! MAKE SURE YOU DO NOT HAVE A FUEL LEAK BEFORE TRYING THIS! Oh yeah, and if the insulation on your spark plug wire is thin - you might get a little zap, but you'll survive it Another method is to remove a sparkplug wire and stick a spare sparkplug in it. Ground the threaded end of the spark plug against the block while someone cranks the engine and see if the sparkplug "sparks". -OR- (and this is my favorite) Get your little brother to stick his finger in the end of the sparkplug wire while you crank it over. If his hair curls and his eyeballs spark, your ignition is okay! That's how I used to do it. (And my little brother threatens my life everytime he remembers it!)
2. Fuel - Remove the air cleaner (that's the big, blue, round thing). Work the throttle linkage while looking down the throat of the carburetor. You should be able to see gas squirting in from the aceleration pump. No gas? Try covering the carb opening with your hand while someone cranks the engine. That may cause it to start. If not, did it cause it to suck in some gas? No? Try spraying starting fluid in the carb. If the car starts, runs for a second and dies, remove the fuel line to the carb, turn the ignition on and see if you get any fuel. If not, you probably have a clogged fuel filter or bad fuel pump.
3. Mechanical - Open the hood. Is there an engine in there? Just joking! Mechanical failures (something broke) or timing issues can also cause your car not to start. And I'll leave both of these for someone else to explain. Not my forte...