Engine problems. Can you figure this out?

[UCSLugRacerX]

Engine cranks over but does not start
Starter has enough power, (12.7volts) although makes a grinding sound immediately after I release the key back to ON position. (I assume broken starter gear)
New ECU with caps replaced
New fuel filter
New fuel pump
MPI relay tested OK
New spark plugs
New plug wires
(have spark on 4 plugs)
battery terminals are clean and tight
ALL relays and fuses are OK
compression is fine on all 4cylinders
I checked timing belt, and all timing marks line up perfectly
I had no boost leak
No strange boost pressure
Died on freeway, but died with Air/fuel meter reading rich (staying on 2 bars green.)
Check engine light came on before engine died
Before the engine died it idled fine, and did not smoke, or backfire, knock, or anything bad.

I will replace the starter gear, but the starter gear has nothing to do with the engine dieing on the freeway.


What could it be?
And yes, I’ve searched and still no success.

 

[98spydert]

Can you confirm that spark is getting to the wires?
Can you confirm fuel is actually leaving the injectors?
Do the dash lights turn on at all?
Can you turn the ignition on pull the CEL code?

BTW: we do have a problem diag forum

 

[UCSLugRacerX]

When I pulled the plug out, and held the bottom of the plug a few millimeters away from a good ground, there is a distict blue spark.
When I crank the motor over with all 4 plugs out, I can very much smell fuel in all 4 cylinders.
The CEL does not come on anymore because the ECU was reset when I disconected the negative battery terminal to clean it.
Yes, the entire dash lights up when ignition is in the ON position.

 

[L2RTSiAWD]

Moved to problem diagnosis.