91 Ranger died won't restart HELP !!!

I have a 91 ranger 2.9l auto, shut down coming down an exit ramp and hasn't started since.........
I did a koeo self test by grounding the single wire by the test connector, code 11. It has spark, I hear the fuel pump run for a second or so when I cycle the key on/off, there is a faint smell off of fuel under the hood after try to start it, and every now and then it will backfire through the throttle body,,, any help would be appreciated as I need to get it going for work !!!!!!!!!!!!

Last time I saw anything come up through a throttle body/carb the timeing was 180 deg. out. Did you check the timing in case it jumped out of time?

Check for a faulty FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR.  Also check for a faulty ground lead coming off the battery terminal.  I had this senario on my 1988 Ranger 2.9 also, but getting onto the entrance ramp.  The smaller ground wire coming off the battery terminal has a factory fuse holder on it.  The little ears on the fuse holder finally let go after a few years and I lost the ground the ground that fed the computer.  Everything worked except for the injectors.  Since the ground was bad, the injectors could not fire.

any way of checking short of pulling the front cover?

Like USECOMMONSENSE said, try that. If it dont work, then go with checking the timing with a timing light. But go with expierience on this one cause thats always the best route.

Easy way to rough check the timing would be to bring #1 up to TDC on the compression stroke and check the position of the Rotor.  Should be pointing to #1 wire position on the Distributor cap.