UK Car Repair: crankshaft sensor, crankshaft sensor, crank sensor

Question
my car is a 1999 rover 200 series 214sei no modifications done.the engine just died on me on the way into work and will not start again can you give me some advice i have replace the distributor cap,rotor arm and spark plugs i have a spark but it still wont start and can you tell me what a crankshaft sensor does and where i can find it please

Answer
If you have a spark it is unlikely to be the crank sensor! This sensor tells the spark when to occur. As it is sparking there must be something else. Two things come to mind,  1) NO Fuel;  Perhaps the fuel pump has quit! Was there wet fuel on the plugs you took out? 2), It's possible the timing belt broke or slipped.  The first test is to carefully open a fuel line slightly hold a rag around it and see if there is fuel available when someone switches on the ignition. If so, you will need to do a compression test to see if in fact the engine is not damaged.  The Crank sensor is usually fitted in the vicinity of the front crankshaft damper, or on the flywheel housing.