Been a while since I've posted thanks to a fine running car. This morning after driving to church I tried starting the car and it cranked a little longer than usual then started and died. I tried this over and over until I could get it started and pump the gas pedal gently to keep it running until it would idle roughly for a short time and then die. I finally called the tow truck and sent it to Firestone who looked at it an said it was the fuel regulator and replaced it and let it run for a while, but after they turned the car off it had the same symptom as before where it would not start again. Firestone is going to replace the Fuel regulator once more thinking it was defective. I will post the fix, but if anyone has any suggestions I could pass them on the the repair facility because they thought they had it fixed and are now dumbfounded at my expense. Thanks in advance.

Have them test the fuel pressure before the car is started, at idle, during revs and then after the car is shut off.

im guessing it is the maf sensor. Once it acts up again, unplug the sensor and see if it starts and runs again. If so, then your maf sensor is bad. Go to NAPA or any other auto parts store and its ariund 90-120 to get it replaced but you have to turn in your core. You will also have to remove the engine light with a scanner at auto zone or other place.

Hope this helps,
-Mark

Thanks for the replies. The first thing they checked was the fuel pressure which led them to believe the problems was with the regulator because when I entered the shop they gave me an explanation concerning the fuel and why the regulator fixed the problem until they turned it off and tried to restart it. I just got the car back and the answer to the problem is the Mass Airflow sensor. Firestone used their network called IDENTIFIX where they found this identical issue with many other Pontiacs and the repair method was the exact same thing in diagnosing the regulator before the MAS. Again thanks for the help. The bill wasn't too bad.....$219 for sensor and $119. for diagnosis. I am glad to have a shop I can trust. The Tow truck driver told me that he used to repair GM'* and has a 96 Bonnie himself. The driver said he would go to a forum like this one and look up repairs/symptom scenario'* to help him diagnose the problems. this is a great value to us all.