I can't believe this. Tried to get home last night, and it sputtered and died not two blocks away. Got a ride home and came back with my wife, son and tools. Checked everything I could think of, including replacing the FI relay and fuel filter. No luck. Towed it to the local independant shop ($70-80)last night. Just heard from them today - at 4:30pm. They said fuel pressure is only 5 lbs, we have spark and fuel pulse and all that garbage - and say they need to replace the in-tank pump - and they can't get to it today. I replaced this 10 months ago myself ($120 for the pump). The shop is charging $190 for the pump and $175 labor (two hours). They said the pump MAY still may be good - as there are two resistor wires to the pump that could be bad, and need to be cut out. They said they couldn't check this until they had the pump out of the tank - makes sense. Also the faulty fuel pressure regulator (which I replaced a week ago) possibly ruined the pump - in case it's not the resistors.

So - I can't find the part locally (couldn't get it until Wed), and can't get the car home where I can work on it unless I pay another $70 in towing charges. So I've got to SUCK it up and pay the shop up to $550 for the repair. And I can't even get the car back until Tuesday night. That's four days.

I hate this. Maybe they'll give me a break on the price of the pump, if it needs replacing. I am not questioning the intentions shop - they are quite reputable. I am just hating my failure on this one. In six years of owning this car, I've never had to pay labor charges for anything other than a valve adj. Sigh......

MORAL TO THE STORY - WHEN YOU REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP, REPLACE THE FILTER AND THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR.