Engine Performance problem
1995 Mazda MX3 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Manual 111000 miles

I have a 1995 mx3 with problems. I was driving it and all of a sudden it started to badly hesitate and then the engine died...the revs were shooting all over the place.

It will only start sometimes.
When driving it revs up and then stalls (revs drop to zero) and check engine light flashes.
I fiddled with the timing and was able to start it today and let the engine heat up but it died and i could not get it started again.
Battery is fine, and engine turns over.

i noticed there was a bolt missing from my distributor cap..could that effect the car that much?
a wire is dissconected from the right side of the engine block?

also i am doing a radiator flush could something be going wrong from that?

I was also thinking fuel pump maybe?

somone plz help.
Thanks
Aaron