I'd rule out the ignition parts, if the only symptom is hard starting. Even missing on 2 cylinders, most cars will start no problem. I've recently been through my rash of ignition problems. No symptoms like this.

Jeff, when the car runs, do you feel you have all the normal power?

I'm becoming convinced that the problem is fuel related and not ignition related, which tends to make me think that the crank sensor is not the point of failure.

Yesterday, the Bonnie wouldn't start again, same setup conditions as before. I began to diagnose the problem via the factory service manual "won't start" flowchart. One of the beginning steps involved disconnecting the fuel injectors and installing test lamps in the fuel injector harnesses. Well, I didn't have a test lamp handy, but I had a multimeter. I disconnected a single fuel injector (leaving the rest connected) and hooked the multimeter in voltmeter mode to the now empty harness. I tried to start the car, intending to observe the voltage, if any, being sent to the injector. Lo and behold, the car started right up.

Today, similar circumstances once again led to a no-start, so I got out the multimeter again, and, once again, immediately the problem went away.

Strange...

BTW, before i put a new fuel pressure regulator in, the problem was intermittent just like you describe, then completely went away, no more hard hard starts.... you may want to try given the minimal time / price involved...

Well, the injector firing is controlled by an input by the cam sensor, but that would almost certainly set a code.......

What'* your fuel pressure? Have you checked? Is it any easier to start if you turn the ignition on for about 30 seconds before cranking?

I'd love to see a scantool hooked up to that thing.

Would you be so kind as to tell us the name of the Pontiac dealer who has the $15 regulators. Since it'* so easy & I'm experiencing hot start problems I want to do that first. The lowest price I have found is $58 + shipping.

Did you fix the problem yet?

i remember it being really cheap, now your part# could be different than a 98, and if i remember right i got it at pepboys or autovalue, its just a small valve, o ring and clip... thought it was under $20, but could be mistaken - you do not need Pontiac OE for this part, IMO

Tank you gentlemen(persons). I think this payday I'm headed to PepBoys. My car is hard to start when cold. But if I crank it, let it sit, and then crank it again she fires right up (no gas pedal at all). Sounds like this pressure regulator may fix her right up. Especially since winter is coming, and I want that damned remote start to work! (Ususally takes all three attepts for the remote starter to start the car)

MOS95B, pontiac part 17113346 Fuel Injection Hardware REGULATOR 1 $33.31

http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/partsvoice/frameset.cfm

If your year is other than 98 it may be different part, go to your year, search for regulator

oh yea, and my symtoms were hard start when cold, because as she sat, the regulator was slowly leaking fuel back down flooding the engine (probably not good for oil either), now sometimes it evaporated overnight and morning wasnt bad... but if it sat just for while it would crank looooong

hope that helps