Good news! My daughter and "Betsy" are now back home, safe and sound. After reading all the posts from you guys, I left Easton, PA at 6:30PM and just now got home (12:30AM). Traffic was backed up big time at the George Washington Bridge going into NY, on Christmas eve no less. Got lost a bit in NYC but once I got there, it took me less than 10 minutes to get Betsy running again. My daughter was right about one thing. No pressure on the gas peddle. Felt weird so I opened the hood. The throttle cable did pop off and I reset it, but that wasn't the problem as she still didn't start. Took the cap off the distributer and had my son watch the rotor as I cranked over the engine. Rotor turned okay so timing belt was okay as I suspected. Re-installed the cap after inspecting same. Still no start. Popped out the 25 (?) amp blade fuse and found light corrosion which I touched up with emery clothe. Pulled the two small wires off the ignition coil. They were much more corroded. Reattached wires and tried starting Betsy again and she started right up!!! Daughter called AAA and canceled towing and we drove back to Easton. At 12:06AM my 13 year old son looked over at me and said, "Merry Christmas, Dad". I said the same to him. Thank you to all who helped me out before I left. Your advices will no doubt be the best Christmas present of 2009!
Thanks again,
Mark Bugyi
Easton, PA

The throttle cable may have broken or simply came off the pulley, but it should start.

Disconnect the connector to the AMM (key off) and see if it starts?

Put a jumper on the left side of fuses 4 and 6 to force the fuel pumps to run and bypass the relay.

25 amp fuse near the battery, check the fuse and corrosion at the holder and battery connector.

Dan

Sounds like throttle cable linkage has disconnected somewhere under the hood.
It happens rarely, but possible. Engine should still start, however.
Try rolling the fuses in their holders. Maybe oxidation? NY weather?
The problem is probably simple and easy to locate after opening the hood.

Did the car die slowly or suddenly?

Wishing you best of results.

Brandon

88, check the fuse in the engine bay by the battery before anything else. 1/2 tank plus two gallons should be above the point at which a failed in-tank pump or connector hose on the pickup would be a problem. 3/4 tank will get you past that. Sounds like the main fuel pump may have died. Time to jump power to it at the fuse box and see if it runs by listening for it right below the rear seats. It's very clear when it runs--good solid buzz.

Your comment about "no resistance at the gas pedal" is confusing. May I ask what you are working on with that? If the accelerator cable were broken there would be little resistance, but the car would still idle. "Car Cranks". When it cranks, are you getting the usual chuga chuga, or does it spin rapidly when the key is turned? If so, the timing belt may have broken, though if it was changed last year, that's unlikely. Any other symptoms?

Hope that helps! Feel free to e-mail, dpsam@sbcglobal.net. Help is a little hard to come by on X-mas eve.
DS