I have a 97 Tracker that will not start. It started out as components getting hot and would not start after turning off. Replaced relays and distributor. Now it turns over but will not start. I am going to install a clicky-starter fix kit to see if that works. Does anybody have any suggestions? Please help 

"...components getting hot..."? 

Like, which components?

do you have a custom exhaust running next to the starter?

I was meaning to say the relays were getting hot, don't know what possesed me to say components, and no, I am not running a custom exhaust. When it first started giving trouble it would just die while driving down the road and not start back up and you could smell how hot it was getting, for awhile you could wiggle the wire going to the distributor and it would crank back up. Has been checked by several mechanics and they can't seem to pinpoint the problem. I am just wondering if anybody may have any ideas. Thanks

which relays? the ones under the dash?

the only realy I recall under the hood is the TCC lockup relay for automatic trannys.

there are masterfuse blocks over by the battery ... if ya have a short, then one of those could get hot I suppose.

also, I'd checkout the ground from the battery to the engine. it could be that's not grounding and requiring a smaller guage wire to carry ground.

If mine is left undriven and sat still for a few weeks (like while i'm studying away at university) it struggles to start, but this is because it needs new fuel. It takes a while to get new fuel through and it get going.

Maybe its a fuel problem? This would explain it cutting out while it being driven aswell as it not starting...

Now it turns over but will not start. I am going to install a clicky-starter fix kit to see if that works.

If it cranks over then you don't need the clicky-starter fix, that is only for when the starter doesn't turn over due to insufficient current flow.

Could this be an ECM problem??

I had some trouble with a 98 Tracker this summer.

It was a pain in the butt to trace.

It would start and run fine. Sometimes it would not re-start after you got to your destination. Sometimes it would. Very unpredictable.

It would crank, but not start. It turned out I wasn't getting fuel.

Replaced the pump and relays, still couldn't depend on it.

Started checking connections for the 5th time...I traced it to the connection inside the Driver's Side Taillight. There is a big plug-in for alot of the wires. Your fuel pump wiring goes right though it. Well, with the taillight out, it started. Re-install the taillight is stalled and died.

Turns out the connection has a little bit of a bind on the wiring once connected and then stuffed into the body cavity. We "picked" the wires out that related to the fuel pump (pink and black if I remember right) and cleaned them and "pinched the end so it would plug in "tighter".

I have not had a single problem with it since.

I believe the connection, after years of being plugged in and somewhat of a "bind", it slowly allowed moisture and stress to corrode the inside terminals.

I'm not sure this will fix your application, but I certainly check it.

Cowgurl,
Did you figure it out?
one of usual suspects in the 16V is the timing belt.....My 96 did the exact same thing......After messing with a bunch of stuff I pulled the top bots off the timing belt cover and pryed it open a bit put my finger in there and could move the belt..pulled it off replaced took 45 minutes and 20 bucks......I got it for 500 bucks cause of the same symptoms you described.....anywho hope it helps......check the simple stuff first and don't just throw parts at it that gets expensive!  My money is on timing belt!

my first suspicion would be an electrical problem. I have seen poor connections on all the wiring connectors before. Had to clean all of the connectors and apply dielectric grease, tracker runs like a top now. When you wiggled distributor wiring you could be moving a connection in that area.