Car runs but as soon as I turn it off it doesnt turn back on.

When it wont start ,check for spark when cranking it over.If there is none, switch on the ignition again and jumper the starter motor direct or you can push start it if it is a manual.

If this starts or you have spark with the jumper test ,then your ignition switch will probably be your problem.Please get back to me if you have further issues.

Please leave a fair comment if I have resolved your problem.

Thank you

Hello, when you have this sort of problem, what you have to do is determine if it is fuel or ignition related. It could be either or both. If you have a carburetor, you can check to see if the accelerator pump is squirting fuel into the carb body when you actuate the throttle. This signifies that the bowl is full and fuel is getting to the carb. If its not, you know its a fuel problem (stuck float, needle valve, bad fuel pump, etc). Sometimes intermittent fuel pump problems occur due to an electrical short in the fuel line to the pump in the tank (for fuel injected models). On carb equipped models the fuel pump runs off of the cam on the back top side of the engine. You could put a fuel pressure guage on it to see if you are getting the proper 33.6 psi. If not, that would indicate an underperforming fuel pump.
On the Festivas, its common that the wire going to the distributor becomes frayed or insulation cracked and it can cause intermittent spark problems. This is why when the car won't start, you need to check immediately if there is good spark or not with a spark tester. If spark is good, check the fuel pressure when cranking. Another thing you can do is spray 'starting fluid' in the carb or intake to see if that makes the car start or try to fire. If it does, you will know that you have found the problem and its fuel related.