Dead Audi towed by Acura!

[Quattrofan@aol.com]

Well, the worst has happened. My Coupe quit on the PA turnpike and had to be
towed home by my father-in-law's Integra. This is too much embarrassment to
bear. Q-heads, we must diagnose and fix my car so this never happens again!
This has happened twice before, and I've never been able to find/correct the
problem. My 86 Coupe GT is driving along, and suddenly quits running. What
happens is the fuel pump turns silent, meaning no fuel delivery. I tried
replacing the relay with a new one, to no avail. I tested power to the pump,
and got power. I jumped the relay at some point, just to make sure, and had
power. Today, this happened once, kinda like a burp, and the car started
running again. I consider this the warning, which I of course ignored. Then I
went through the toll booth, and it died for good. Played with relays,
checked that wires were properly attached to the pump, etc. Nothing. After
calling for backup, sitting bored in the car, I would occasionally flick on
the ignition switch to see if the pump would run. No. No. No. Then, it would
make an odd and unpleasant sound and run for a few seconds. Hmmm. Tried
starting the car. It started. Didn't dare move until backup arrived, so
turned it off again. After that, nothing. All other dash lights, guages, etc.
all work properly, so it wouldn't be an ign. switch problem. Relay should
still be okay. Pump has a pre-filter and wasn't noisy before any of this,
tank of fuel was reasonably fresh and half full. I have a used pump of
unknown background in my stash, which I will try after diagnosis, but would
prefer to check anything else anyone can think of before spilling gas in my
face replacing it. Tips, hunches, appreciated. I must point out that my car
broke down in sight of a phone booth, so I'm still thinking of it in happy
thoughts. Let's just say it's on probation, and I imagine an Audi God
sacrifice is sorely needed. HELP!

Dwight V.
86 Coupe GT (with Acura outboard option)
89 Jetta GLI 16v (with dead pwr window motor #2 this week)
70 Fiat Spider (dead battery, sticking brakes)
67 Fiat Dino Coupe (rusted exhaust, for sale)
93 Ford Tempo (co. car, hoping it gets hit while parked)