Random Revs and Not starting

okay, so i know that when the revs wander from idle speed to 1700 rpm that its the TPS or something like that, but could that sensor also prevent the motor from starting normally? its an 88 LX-i and it will randomly not start, and it doesn't change, if it won't start tonight, it won't start again until i use starting fluid on it ( i hate to ) but then the idle wanders up and down a bit, and it runs perfectly aside from the worn valve guides. but after i started it today after a month of sitting, it ran perfect all day and started after the motor turned over only once. think that sensor could be problem?