Engine turns freely with starter but does not fire, does not appear to have any compression at any point - simply runs engine and all accessories (alternator, etc.) at starter rpm speed, no variance, no attempt to start. 2002 Oldsmobile Alero 2.2 L 4 cyl. engine.

remove the spark plug
if it turns freely
wrong length plug reach
fluid on to of the piston causing hydraulic lock
if no change -- valve staying open and hitting top of piston

Sounds like a timing chain problem, you could check compression but I think your going to have to take it to a shop regardless. Make sure that the engine is turning over and it's just not the starter spinning that your hearing.

You have to put the number 1 cylinder at Top Dead Center of the compression stroke, and then you install the distributor with the rotor pointing to the #1 spark plug wire tower that is on the distributor cap.

Pull the spark plug from number 1 cylinder. You need a helper to turn the engine over by hand (using a socket on the crank pulley), or he can bump the starter over in very short bursts. Put your finger over the spark plug hole. When the piston is rising on the compression stroke, you will feel air pressure on your finger. Now look at the crank pulley and turn the engine on over until the zero degrees mark lines up on the timing pointer. Or you can stick a long straw or similar into the spark plug hole (don't let it drop into the cylinder!) to feel when the piston is at top of travel...see, you feel for pressure build up with finger (piston is rising on compression stroke), when you feel it, turn engine on over by hand until the piston is at top of travel-that is TDC of compression stroke. Now install distributor so that rotor ends up pointing directly to number 1 spark plug wire tower. Then follow firing order -as the rotor turns, it will follow the firing order around the dist. cap.
There are two top dead centers of each piston, tdc of compression stroke and tdc of exhaust stroke- to time the engine, you need tdc of compression-that is when the spark plug fires in the cylinder, so that is when you want the distributor in with the rotor pointing to #1.

Sound like low engine compression
head gasket gone between the cyl

use OBD II scanner. if there is a code in the pcm, it wil point you in the right direction. if not, go back to old school diagnostics. check for spark, check fuel pressure, check compression. if these appear ok, check timing.

Check starter solinoid

Engine cranks normally, but it does not fire:
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.
There are a number of causes for this type of no-start condition, the most common being that you are simply out of gas. Assuming that you have fuel in the tank, you will need to go through a series of tests to determine what is causing the problem. The testing procedure is as follows:---

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 replace the spark plug or the coil pack.It has to be checked.

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).

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. Or you can also get the fuel pressure tested at local car garage, If fuel pressure is low then its a fuel pump and fuel filter related problem.

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.

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This troubleshooting will let you know the problem.Thanks.

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.
There are a number of causes for this type of no-start condition, the most common being that you are simply out of gas. Assuming that you have fuel in the tank, you will need to go through a series of tests to determine what is causing the problem. The testing procedure is as follows:---

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 replace the spark plug or the coil pack.It has to be checked.

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).

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. Or you can also get the fuel pressure tested at local car garage, If fuel pressure is low then its a fuel pump and fuel filter related problem.

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.

-------------

This troubleshooting will let you know the problem.Thanks.

Engine cranks normally, but it does not fire:
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.
There are a number of causes for this type of no-start condition, the most common being that you are simply out of gas. Assuming that you have fuel in the tank, you will need to go through a series of tests to determine what is causing the problem. The testing procedure is as follows:---

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 replace the spark plug or the coil pack.It has to be checked.

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).

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.Or you can also get the fuel pressure tested at local car garage,If fuel pressure is low then its a fuel pump and fuel filter related problem.

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.

-------------

This troubleshooting will let you know the problem.Thanks.

Pull the distributor cap off and watch the rotor as you crank the motor. If the rotor doesn't turn your timing belt is broken. If the Engine is actually firing while you have the starter engaged but dies immediately when you let off even when you press the accelerator check to make sure the starter isn't staying engaged in the flywheel as that will kill the motor and burn your starter out. If all is good so far do a compression check. If you don't have good compression on all cylinders your engine maybe firing but with no compression will not run.