Engine probs, 92 cav

My 92 Cavalier RS won't start. Put in a brand new fuel filter, old one spit out black gas. Checked the timing, spark, and compression, compression was at 125 at the weakest and round 165 at the best and 145 for the other 2 I think. I don't know about fuell pressure yet but should have that tested by tuesday at the latest. We sprayed some starter fluid in it while cranking and still nothing happened. When it first died, I was driving and it shut off and wouldnt start right away. About 5 minutes later it would start but died when it got revved a little bit, but started back up and seemed to be fine later on. Later when i left work, got a few blocks away and it died, same thing. Next day it backfiered a few times and now it just cranks but wont fire. It is the 2.2L ad has 200k on it and I cant afford a new car. Any ideas would be appreciated

Would a crank position sensor do this?

You said that you sprayed starting fluid in it and the engine did not fire correct? That tells me to check for spark.:wink:

It has good spark. Took them out and laid them on the block and they were a good strong blue spark.

Crank position sensor isnt it, any ideas?

So far you've verified that you have spark, but you haven't fully verified fuel yet. What is the fuel pressure at the rail? If pressure is good, then you need to verify that the injectors are being fired by the computer. Get the car scanned for codes.

Im bringing it to a shop tomorow nite to get the fuel presssure read, that has to be done by the filter since it has botom feed throttle body injection, i will also see if he will check the injectors if its good, my dad had a scanner hooked up and he said it found nothing but that may also be that he really doesnt know how to use it...

Finally got it to a mechanic today, he is going to do a scan and fuel pressuer check and see if he can find the problem, im tired of messing with it for the past 3 weeks

Just my .02 worth....

My 93 Beretta had similar issues when I bought it... it would not start unless I opened the throttle. Turned out to be a bad ECM--- it was loading up at idle, not allowing it to start.

If you have new info to add, please start a new thread rather than resurrect an old thread. Closed.