'96 Sunfire cranks in park but will not start

[nicang]

I have been having problems starting the car. While in park, the engine cranks but will not start. Move the shifter into neutral and the car starts but stalls when I move the shifter back into park. If I start the car in neutral, I can shift into drive and it will continue to run but will stall if moved into park or reverse. This seems to happens after the car is driven about 10 or 15 miles. After the car sits for several hours, it can be started in park.

This has happend about 4 times over the last month or so. I have taken the car into the Pontiac garage but they can not find the problem.

Any suggestions?

[spitfire888888]

ask them if they checked the crank sensor

[nicang]

Thanks - I did take the car to another garage before the pontiac garage where they were able to determine that it could possibly be the crank sensor but suggested that it might not be the problem.

Can you explain why you think it is the crank sensor so that I can contact them to discuss.

Thanks for your help.

[hopeless4life]

make sure they properly test the sensor because they are pricey. Also this is one of those things it might be wise to go to the dealer. I replaced one in my car and i called every auto parts place, and the dealer was the cheapest, for the part itself.