Strange starting problem

[YellowstoneYeti]

I've got a 98 Brighton wagon with 2.2L, 5 speed, and 208K miles. I've had the car since 66K miles and it has been well maintained. Recently it has developed an intermittent starting problem. About 98% of the time it starts and runs normally.  The other 2%, it will start normally, run for about 5 seconds and die. Then I can crank and crank and it will not fire. If I leave it sit for a few hours, it starts and runs fine. It seems like it loses spark or fuel or both, although I can't confirm either one. I thought perhaps it was flooding so I tried depressing the accelerator while starting but had the same results. There is no CEL and my reader does not show any codes. It has happened 3 times in the last 3 weeks. The common denominator has been sub-zero cold on all 3 occasions. The first time I thought maybe I had some water in the fuel, but the symptoms are too similar I think for that to be the case all 3 times.  Obviously, I don't feel like I can trust the car to not leave me stranded in extreme conditions. Does anyone have any ideas on where to start looking? Thanks for any help you can offer.

[Fairtax4me]

Need to find out for sure if it's not getting spark or fuel when this happens.

After cranking for about ten seconds smell the exhaust pipe for gas. If it has a strong gas smell then there's a good chance you're getting fuel but no spark.

 

Also even if the Check engine light isn't on, get it scanned for codes. An intermittent failure of a crank or camshaft sensor should store a code even if the light doesn't stay on the next time it is started.

[wtdash]

I'd also recommend replacing the CTS/Coolant temp sensor...Cheap but a PITA to replace.

 

.....Although if Fairtax didn't suggest it, this might not apply.