98 cranks but won't start, sometimes

My daughter just bought this car from a dealer. Every once in a while she goes out and it just cranks with no light off. If you try it a few times it may start eventually. When it works right it fires up so fast you have to watch you don't over run the starter cause she's like that (my daughter). I drove it the other day and of course it fired right up for me so I drove it to get pizza and MAN that car runs good!!!! I was very impressed till I made a sudden stop cause a stop sign jumped out at me and the motor died. Went to crank it back up and... No fire. Tried for a while with no results (stuck in the middle of an intersection here) Then I could tell it was kinda wanting to start but kept falling off like it was flooded or something. I finally caught it and cleared it out and took it home. She took it to the dealer to have it looked at cause she does have a check engine light sometimes and they analyzed it to the crank sensor. But.... they can't do anything unless the light is on or engine ain't starting, go figure. How much crap has to be removed to get to the crank sensor? Should I change it and see what happens? The problem comes and goes very intermitant, it may be two weeks between failures. But just when you need it, you can bet it won't be there.

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Replacement (http://134.39.200.6:9001/servlets/BlobShtml?ShtmlFile=198503&lang=en&country=US&dbCd=en&evc=sm&version=html&pubid=78&appYear=1998&appMake=Pontiac&appModel=Grand)

Don't know if it matters but the car is a 97 GTP. Anyway thanks to GTPCatz for the info on Crank Sensor replacement. Do you figure that's my problem?

it wont matter that its a 97....same engine....

But it could be your problem...I had the samething happen on my 99 GTP....no SES light but the car would die at strange times....I lucked out though I took the car in to the dealership for another problem and they ended up not being able to start it....they replaced that sensor and I didnt have a problem after that

I would bet it's a crank sensor as well, and why did they say they can't do anything unless it won't start while they have it??? The computer has a code indicating it's bad, so it sounds like they are trying to blow you off and not fix it.

Thanks GTPCatz, anybody know if this can be without the special tools?

The crank pulley I believe is in the way, so you have to use a puller to get it off.

some 3800's require a puller, others just come off once you get the center bolt out. these can be tightened to over 300ft/lbs, so be careful removing it. If the balancer face is smooth, then it will just wiggle off once you get the center bolt out. IF it has threaded holes in the face, then it will require a puller.

Thanks to all. I changed the crank sensor and my Ck Engine has gone out and hasn't failed to start yet (fingers crossed) Also the tack would drop off to zero and the tranny would shift hard evey time after the tack was off. The tack is back as well!!

glad she's fixed, that's what we're here for