I have a 96 cavalier 2.2 liter. Driving to work the car just shut off. Now the car wont start back up. It's turning over strong but wont fire up...I found that it wasn't getting any spark so i

check for position sensor problems and broken timing belt / chain
check for immobilizer and problem ignition switch --recall on all GM ignition switches

NO, THERE IS NO SHUTOFF. THE USUAL PROTOCOL IS WHEN YOU HAVE AN OIL LIGHT ON WHILE DRIVING THE DRIVER STOPS TURNS OFF ENGINE IMMEDIATELY AND INVESTIGATES BEFORE SEIZING THE ENGINE. JUNKYARD ENGINE WILL COST 800.00. LABOR TO INSTALL 1800.00 ROUGHLY

Check the crank sensor !

http://toolsnyou.com/ go to the link get the service and repair manual and solve the problem

Have you adjusted the pushrods properly? Pushrods generally need to be adjusted after installation.

Not sure how to do this on this model, although I own a 94 Ford Explorer with the V6 4.0 Liter motor.

Basically, when a gas engine doesn't run, you check 4 things, and narrow it down from there.

1. Gas (Is gas pressure good, is gas flow strong enough?)
2. Spark (are all spark plugs firing properly? Is spark strong enough)
3. Combustion at each cylinder (timing, pushrod adjustment)
4. Air Flow (MAF/MAP sensor working? Air Filter dirty?)

Appliance Repair Utah

Firing Order on 2.2 liter: 1-3-4-2
Cylinder number: 1-2-3-4 from passenger to driver's side
From the coil from fire wall to radiator: #1 coil 4-1 #2 coil 3-2 Good luck and this should help you get your car running 100% again. 

This is a easy fix. Lucky just follow the procedure and your car will start. This is a theft system shut down.
The procedure is. Disconnect battery for a minimum of 30 seconds. ( one post is OK. )
Reconnect battery and get in the car and start as usual 1 time only. When it starts and stops letthe key just return to run position as if it was running. Do not shut it off and if you do you must stert the procedure all over again. i usually put on the emergency brake before i start and that shuts of the driving lights etc.
Just leave the key in on running position and go have a coffee. it takes 15 to 20 minutes for the car to recycle the system. When you come back to the car the flashing theft light will either be off or solid.
Try to start again. If it doesn't go shut it off and turn back on and start as usual. It will start and run and stay running.
The reason you have this problem is something electronic was disconnected whe the battery was hooked up. always disconnect the battery before you touch anything electronic and you will not have this problem.

i just had this fixed on my cavalier.i put a new ground wire on my car and a new cluster and now everything is fine.

chances are your only option is to replace the ignition switch it appears that one of the pins in the tumbler is jammed and chances of it working again is remote.

Check your fuse panel for a fuse panel. You are probably not getting power to your diagnostics port on your vehicle. I do not remember which fuse the port is under but just look for the blown one.