Strange Fuel Pump Situation, '87 Golf

[Alexander van Gerbig]

    I spent some diagnosing my friends dead '87 Golf yesterday.  When the
car was cranked it wouldn't catch, plenty of spin, but no turn over.  So I
poked my head near the fuel pump and asked my buddy to start it.  No noise
from the pump when cranking.  So I yanked the relay and jumped the pump.
The pump started buzzing right away, so pump is good.  I tried to start it
then and it turned over then died after a few seconds.  I tried again and it
sputtered to life, slowly, then died again.  So I figured it needed a new
fuel relay.  Picked one up and installed today, no change in the situation.
Now I am very confused.  Pump doesn't buzz when the engine is being cranked,
so no fuel, no turnover.  Though with the fuel pump jumped today the car
refused to turn over.  Anyone?  Sparks?  Why isn't the fuel pump buzzing
away when the engine is cranked?  Why wouldn't the engine start with the
fuel pump jumped?

Regards,

Alexander van Gerbig -- '88 80

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