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It cranks and does one fire

Does this mean it will fire up and stall?
Did you try keeping your foot on the gas?

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So my question is, On a 96, does the tach show something when you are cranking the engine over,

No, Tach moved when starting was with the can buss dash which was in 97 or 98.

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The key on, off, on thing doesn't work well after about the 92- 93 model year.

Actually the "key dance" started back in the 80's and continued till past 2000. There are different procedures but this will work on a 96. Even if you don't have any codes you will see a 55 code.