Pontiac Repair: prob-matic starting on 92 Pont, crankshaft position sensor, fuel pressure regulator

Question
1992 Pontiac Grand Prix, 3.1 engine, AOD, 164K miles.  This car ran and performed great until last summer/fall. It would stall and be hard re-stating or not start at all until sat for a long period of time. It would start fluttering as if it was out of fuel and then stall. FIRST fix attemp: had the car towed to a good reputation shop. After plugging in a diagnostics checker, was told it was the crank sensor, (back of engine above the trans) replaced it, still wouldn't start. ('but the sensor was bad anyway, so we will leave it there', the shop), SECOND fix: replace ignition module at the front of the engine. Car now starts, but there is a intermitent miss and sometimes cranks to start and makes that sound that reminds me of a car with extreme high timing. I was told that the car needed spark plugs and new wires to cure. The car still has the same wires and plugs, and still has this intermitent miss and now that I have moved to Michigan from Kentucky, when it gets cold, down below freezing, the car will not start and still does that high timing sound thing when trying to start, and will sometimes backfire back through the intake manifold. When it got cold I literally had to either place a heat lamp under the hood or find somewhere to park the car inside. When the car is warm to hot; runs and performs great. Now before I go and start replacing every sensor on this thing and maybe getting lucky ....   any ideas ???

Answer
Hi
I would have the following items checked...
1) The Crankshaft position sensor HARNESS. This harness runs under the oil pan, and it is REALLY exposed to elements, oil from engine oil changes, road dirt, salt, water...
It is a 2 wire harness (purple and yellow wires). It can be EASILY checked and replaced (if needed).
2) check the fuel pressure regulator. Take the vacuum line off of it, if there is ANY fuel, ANY, it needs replacement.
3) I would also check the wiring harness to the ignition control module, as it seemed to help by replacing it, you may have moved the wires. Wiggle the harness, and see if it acts up while wiggle testin harness.
I hope these items help.
They are JUST advice from experience.
Good Luck
Pawl