96 Rodeo periodicly dies...etc

[cars_r_bad_mkay]

I have searched the forum and only found one topic that comes close to the problems I am having. My 96 Rodeo (4x4 manual, 72k) recently started cutting out, at first it only occured when I exceeded 3500rpm. But it got worse and began occuring at much lower RPM's. Then it gave me problems starting. It will turn over indefinitely but won't fire. The weird thing is that it will push start. Sometimes I can just roll it real slow, pop the clutch and though it is to slow to start, it well then start with the ignition. I checked the most likely suspects (fuel lines, pump, intake, wiring, etc.) to no avail.
I took it to my mechanic who was only able to identify a faulty camshaft sensor when it was hooked to the computer. He replaced it (cheap fix) but made it clear to me that it would not solve the problem. Indeed it did not. He stated that it may be the crank sensor, which is a much more expensive item to replace. But again, he gave no guarantees. He has been an extremely reliable mechanic so I was quite surprised when he got to his wits end and suggested I take it to the Isuzu dealer. They of course had no clue either. I have had the vehicle for 5 years and this is the first problem I have had.
HELP!

TIA

[Ramblin Fever]

Have you pulled a spark plug to see what it looks like? Also, has anyone thought of the fuel pump as a possibility. Probably have, I'm just mentioning ideas.

Let us know

[cars_r_bad_mkay]

Thanks for the response...but no. All of the obvious mechanical issues have been checked. It is definitely electronic in nature. The good news is that the vehicle is now completely dead. I say good news because the problem will almost certainly be easier to track down now that the symptom is totally obvious rather than intermittent.

Thanks again.