I have a 1997 CR-V that died while we were driving it. It cranks but doesn’t start. It turns over, I’ve checked fuel and spark, changed the fuel filter & distributor. A mechanic mentioned the CPS as a possible issue, we have knocked out/tested pretty much everything else I can think of, but it comes out to $730 to replace the crankshaft position sensor, water pump and timing belt. Any recommendations?

 

If you get spark and/or fuel pump runs during crank then it is not likely to be crankshaft sensor
The first thing I would do is to test all the fuses. Done with a test light, can be done very fast.
Clip to ground and probe to the top of each fuse. There are two test points. One above each blade.
If both light up then fuse is good . If only one side lights up then fuse is blown.
If no lights then no power to fuse.
The bigger fuses can be check visually.

Did you check to see if there is injector pulse?
May be visually inspect the wiring harness for rub through??

 

welcome to the forum. you might want to do an easy check, take the timing belt cover off to see the condition of the belt if it is damaged or perhaps skipped a tooth. do you know when the last time the belt was changed.

 

the timing belt was in good condition, and it was last changed in 2016.

 

Try spraying starter fluid into the in take and crank engine
If it starts and dies then fuel system issue