The filter is the original from 1998 with +100k on it. It's old like the rest of the car....

 

That filter should have been replaced 40k miles ago

 

^ What he said. The fuel pump in my '99, with about 60K on it at the time, threw in the towel in early 2014.

 

Did it just die or did it slowly fade into the dark?

 

It seemed progressive until I needed a tow because it decided it was kaput. This was over the course of a week or so.

The buildup was hard starts; the adios involved total power loss on the freeway at about 85. It kinda sucked.

 

Bummer on the when it failed, but your thoughts have pushed me to the conclusion that the pump needs replacement. Although the incident last night is also the "push" I needed.

Driving last night a new sound appeared which seemed to originate from the front of the dash (fuel pump location in tank if I had to make a guess). The sound is a whining that happens when I press the throttle and continues until a stopped idle but then returns and it is loud. The car also died 4-5 times while idling and took a lot of cranking to restart.

At this point, the dots connect and point to the fuel pump so I'll order one on Monday and make the change. The suck factor on this is I no longer have access to my nice garage in NC, so I'm doing the repair in condo complex parking lot....yippee!

Thanks to everyone that responded both on the thread and via PM, all the advice was great and I learned a few things.

 

Definitely change out the fuel filter as well. A dirty filter also adds stress to the fuel pump.

 

Looking for a little more help/suggstions.

I replaced the fuel pump with great anticipation that if would solve my non start problem….and it didn’t. I’ve researched several forums over the last week and I’m no closer to a solution, but I have a bunch of ideas. I’ll try not to write a novel but here is what I’ve got so far.
Couple of CEL’s finally showed up and I’m hoping they are recognized by someone that has a suggestions or solution. Code P0455 and 446, which could be the canister, vent lines, gas cap, vent valve, or regeneration valve. Gas cap replaced a year ago, vent valve on the filler tube replaced about a year ago as well. I do not think it is the regeneration valve because most of the posts related to that part replacement suffer from not starting at gas stations. I am experiencing non starts when the car is hot when the car is cold, after long or short drives and also when cold after sitting for a few hours or overnight. The car also stalls when the gas pedal is depressed while accelerating from a standstill and hunts for idle while at stop lights.
All ideas, thoughts?

 

Was the fuel filter replaced?

 

Yep, I replaced the fuel filter as well as the fuel pump relay. The relay was inexpensive so I plugged in a new one.

 

Youri Ko, what was the solution to your non starting?

 

What was the solution that solved your non start?

 

I would suggest the followng:
- remove the idle stabilizer and throttle body and give them a thourough cleaned
- remove the evap regen valve that's above the alternator and use a 9v battery to test if it's sticky. It should remain closed and sealed when no power is applied
- check presence of sparks when no start occurs
- pressure and flow test the fuel system
- test resistance of the crank position sensor. Use an oscilloscope to check its wave form

 

Thanks Ahsai for your suggestions, I've entered my findings inline..

 

I posted some links on RennTech for you to help you run down your problem. I was also wondering if you have checked for a vacuum leak somewhere? Just wanted to suggest that with a hunting idle vacuum leaks are frequently the cause. Check your evap purge valve located over the alternator. I would just replace it. Also, carefully inspect your oil filler pipe for cracks. Mine cracked, power was down, car ran like crap, hunting ilde. Replaced it and the everything was perfect again.