Hi guys, I'm new to the forum here. I am an avid car enthusiast and I am trying to help my uncle troubleshoot his 1991 3.1L Z24 manual trans Cavalier.

Background: The car has almost 200k miles on it, original owner

Problem: The car died one day when he was out driving it, he says it felt like it ran out of gas and just sputtered to a halt. Now if you try to start it, it will catch and fire up for a split second and then immediately die

Since the car died and won't stay running, he has replaced:
Fuel pump
Fuel filter

He checked that the car has strong fuel pressure at the time it dies out, and it does.

My thoughts were: crank sensor, timing belt, or ignition switch itself. I had thought about the fuel pump relay and the oil pres. sender that could cause the relay to cut out but since he is not losing fuel pressure when the car cuts out, I don't think that's it.

This car was always his pride and joy so I hope we can get it back on the road. I am helping him by proxy over the phone.

Thanks!

Steve

Crankshaft position sensor would be a likely choice, and will definitely keep one from running. $10 to $15 dollar part also, or at least on my 2.8 that's all it cost. Kept my 2.8 from running also.