check the coil first, if not coil/ coil pack could be several other things. such as crankshaft position sensor , cam position sensor, . on some models spark is cut from engine that is not getting power to injectors . also could be ecm aka computer . and hardest and worst of all broken or slipping timing belt

You turn the key to start and hear the starter motor crank the engine, but when you release the key, the cranking stops and there is silence. This means that the battery and starting motor are working properly, but the engine is not firing. If you continue cranking the engine over in this way, the battery will eventually run down and will need to be recharged, but the battery and starter are not the cause of your problem. Spark: An easy way to test for spark is with an inexpensive spark tester. This is a device that is readily available at most auto supply stores. You use it by simply holding it next to a spark plug wire. If you see the neon lamp flashing while someone cranks the engine, then you have spark and should move on to checking for fuel. If there is no spark, or a very weak spark, you will have to do a series of methodical tests that vary depending on the type of vehicle. Fuel: First step here is to listen for the fuel pump running inside the gas tank. When you turn the key to run, you should easily hear the pump come on, run for a few seconds to build fuel pressure, then turn off. If you do not hear it, it could mean that the fuel pump or circuitry is bad. (Fuel pump failure is a common problem on modern cars.) Fuel injected cars are very sensitive to proper fuel pressure. If the pressure is off, even by a few pounds, it will cause noticeable performance problems, or a no-start condition. To check for proper fuel pressure, you will need a fuel pressure gauge that is suitable for your type of system. A fuel injected engine (found on just about every vehicle less than 20 years old) produces very high fuel pressures and requires a fuel pressure gauge that reads up to 100 pounds per square inch. This type of gauge has a threaded connector that must match the pressure tap on your fuel rail. Since you are working with a highly combustible fluid which can be quite dangerous if you do not know what you are doing, you should leave this step to a pro. Compression: If you know that you have spark and fuel, the next step is to check for compression. For this, you will need a mechanic's grade compression tester that will screw into a spark plug hole. You will need to remove the spark plugs and use the compression tester to test the compression on each cylinder. If the compression is very low on all cylinders, that is a sure sign that the timing belt (or timing chain depending on the engine) has failed and will have to be replaced.