l have a 96 subaru Impreza 2.2 with 220k on it.l really do not wanna get rid of the car because l l love it.The other day l was on the highway and it died (while l was going 50mph) the tach went to 0 and it wouldd not start.It did not even try.

l have some experience working on my car but I am no expert.I am thinking it is the igniter or the ignition coil.l have ordered both, but what else could cause a no start condition.Can a Cam and Crank sensor cause a no spark condition?

l tested spark my putting a spark plug in the plug wire, and while trying to start the car, touched the plug to the engine block.

Does anybody else have anything for me to try?
l replaced the timing belt pretty recently, at like 170k or so.It definetly could be that tho.I am going to plug in my laptop diag when l get back to where my car is.l will let you know what comes back. Thanks for your help!
So if the ECU is not recieving data from the crankshaft, the ECU will not send signal to fire the spark plugs?l would think it would use ''default setting'' for this.This seems odd to me.

Let is hope for your sake that it is not the timing belt broken. If that is the case, the engine is ruined.

However, with no spark, it could be the crank sensor, or the ignition coil. l would lean more toward the ignition coil since you are getting no spark at all and that would cause it to completely die.

if the engine turns over really fast & sounds like it has no compression it broke a timing belt,if not the case it could be coil but never had one come in on hook for a bad coil ?? most of the time when coil goes bad the engine will skip not die on road. leaning more towards crank sensor

You need to ground against steel, the block is aluminum. l would use a strut mount bolt or similar. Also, if ur battery is weak u may not see a spark. Fuel & spark r the first things to check for, pull a fuel line off the drivers side by the filter & check for pressure when u turn the key on (the electric pump will cut off right away if the computer does not see rpm, but at least you'lll know its working). If not the fuel pump then probably the crank sensor. If it fails, there will be no spark because the computer does not realize the engine is turning over. No CEL or code either with those, u would think if the cam sensor is getting a reading but the crank sensor is not there would be a code but that is not the case with a Subaru. No backup or default. Could be the cam sensor but u should get a CEL for that. Also, if ur coil & sensors r OK, test the igniter next, its under the air box between the throttle body & firewall.

Without getting information from a sensor ur car should go into limp mode, but it depends on the sensor. You would know if it was ur timing belt, trust me.
The engine failure on the freeway could also be caused by something very simple. What produces the spark, the beginning of the power circuit? Some power failures can be caused by a failed battery and/ or alternator. If it can not dwell enough juice it wont fire.
Most probable cause is ignition coil though, l would test it with a multimeter before u buy a new one.