First off, thanks again to all those who helped! (1988 240 wagon)

1) Let my tank go dry, then no start.
2) put 1/2 tank of gas in, no start
3) FI relay seemed to behave OK (please see many other posts on how to check), but I replaced anyways, AND I replaced the fuel filter.
4) I had spark to the plugs
5) I learned that my injectors were getting signal by purchasing a NOID Light from Autozone for 6.99 -- a definite must have
6) disconnected the fuel line to the rail, connected jumper wire from Fuse 6 (left side) to F4 (left side). This should cause BOTH pumps to run, giving you 1 Liter of fuel into a container in 30 seconds.

I only got a little gas.

(I also took apart the front of the engine to check timing belt and marks, and all was good.

Also unplugged Air Mass Meter (to get limp-home mode) but of course no change.)

7) Jumpering F6 (left side) to F4(RIGHT side) -- and I did this with F4 out but don't know if it matters -- should only run the in-tank pump. Again, only got a trickle.

If you have at least half a tank of gas the main pump in theory should run even if the in-tank pump is bad.

You can hear the in-tank pump run, or not, by putting your ear to the gas filler opening (but not while smoking!!!) while someone turns the key from off to position 2 (when the dash lights first come on), back and forth.

So, I get the same feeble fuel flow whether I have both pumps running or just the in-tank pump.

8) Pulled main pump (emptied out best I could), hot-wired it to the car battery (do not do this for more than a couple of seconds, as it uses fuel to cool it). Damn thing was frozen.

9) Bought new pump at Autozone, $110, made in USA, lifetime warranty. Jumpered the fuses again -- I get a fountain of gas. Reconnected line to injector rail.

I'm mobile. This pump is louder. I had to use different wiring connectors (supplied). But it was Sunday and Autozone was open. I hope the pump gets quieter.

Bottom line: an engine will fire if you have compression, air/fuel mixture, and spark somewhere close. Spark is easy. Cam belt is not too bad. Disconnecting the line to the rail and jumping the fuses to see if you get 1 Liter in 30 seconds can indicate a bad pump, leading to low fuel pressure. Checking injector signal is easy with a NOID Light. Checking a FI relay is pretty easy.

What is not easy is accepting that you were a dumb-a@@ letting the tank go dry and damaging an already old main fuel pump -- not showing the car some love!

Hope this helps. Steve.