2002 Mazda Protege 2.0L 2000CC Engine - won't start

It's my son's car. He's had it since February and its been running just great for him. But then all of a sudden it died while he was driving it. It cranks over but will not even attempt to start. I've cleaned battery terminals and ground cables. Any suggestions as to what I can try next would be deeply appreciated. I have 40+ years of backyard car repair, a good continuity tester, and I'm real good at following directions.

 

Could you scan for trouble codes? Auto parts stores will loan the scanner to you.

 

I thought of that - but they indicated that the kind of scanners that they have only work if the engine is running. Apparently the real good ones that will read the codes on a dead engine cost thousands of dollars.

I was wondering if there were a few components on the engine that I might be able to test to see if I'm getting appropriate voltage when the starter turns it over. Any ideas?

 

Any scanner should read codes on an engine that wont start, as long as the ECU is getting power and the tool can connect you should be good to go, sounds like they wanted to sell you something more expensive. Try to get the scanner again but dont tell them the engine wont start, or if its the same place say you got it running and need to check the codes.