Ok we got a 2001 sun fire that only starts when it wants to. It turns over fine. I can hear the fuel pump running. Had the plugs, wires and fuel filter changed on it so far. The other day it would not go. Had it towed to the garage. When they got there with it, the thing started fine. The next time it would not start we rocked it forward and backwards for a minute or so. I then tried to start it and what do you know it started fine. The next time this happened I left it for a few minutes and put it in neutral, turned the key and away it went. Then today, again, it would not start. Tried to start it in neutral but no luck. Rocked it forward and backwards again, turned the key and it started fine. Does any one have any ideas what could be going on with this.

if you shut the car off after is running, does it start back up?
if not, test the starter

I had the starter tested, they said it was fine.It is new it was only change about 3 months ago

but does it start constantly after turning it off or do you have to mess with it to make it start again?

If I just turn it off and back on right away it is fine. But if I leave it for a hour or so, it won't go but this don't happen all the time. It might be ok for a few days then acts up again.

Try this:
remove and clean the battery cables and connect them again. make sure there's no rust
Have you seen anything unusually with the electrical system?
Headlights, slow wiper, if so, check the alternator

The battery is new, the cables look fine, the lugs are clean and they are tight and as for the head lights and wipers, they are the same as they always were. Also I took the lugs off the battery for a couple of hours to reset the coumputer but this did nothing.

Between your "rocking it back and forth" and "shifting it into neutral" it honestly sounds like your neutral safety switch might be out of whack.

If the engine turns over but doesn´t start I don´t think it can be the safety switch cause it would not turn over if it were fried. I would suspect the ignition control module or its wiring not making good contact.

I was thinking it night be the neutral safety switch but if this was the problem would the car still crank over. I was also wondering where the neutral safety switch was located. Someone also mentioned to me that it could be the crank sensor, any thoughts on this. Thanks so much for your help.

if the car does starts, is not the crank sensor but maybe is going bad. "Maybe"

If the engine turns over but doesn´t start I don´t think it can be the safety switch cause it would not turn over if it were fried. I would suspect the ignition control module or its wiring not making good contact.

It sounds like wiring or a connector going bad somewhere in the engine wiring harness. By rocking the car, you're moving the wiring around, maybe allowing something to make contact again.
I would go through each connector going to the engine, one at a time. Unplug it, and inspect it and it's wire to see if it's corroded or damaged. I would probably start at the ones that would shut you down - like the ignition module and crank sensor. It's unlikely to be an individual injector plug, so you could probably leave those alone - just inspect the wiring.
Since it DOES start when it feels like it, I would suspect a connection more than a wire. You could also check the plugs and wires going to the PCM for the same things - but I would disconnect the battery first.
Which engine do you have? That may help a bit with some more info for us.
John

You could remove and clean the Negative cable to the engine block/chassis and the points where it connects.

At least, then, you will know this is not the problem


Alont

The engine is a 2.2

I looked at a grand prix that did something similar. When you closed the hood the car would shut off. Anywho, with the car running, tap your fuse box under the hood hard, but not hard enough to break it. Im thinking like the GP i looked at, theres either a ground or positive lead shorted or loose under there.

Not sure if you are aware but the ignition switch was recalled on the 91 sunfire. I am no mechanic. I've just been searching for possible solutions to the problems my 97 sunfire is being plagued with--among which are several sensor error codes. PO121, PO141, and PO336. Good luck!