Yes,I did try to start with the pins jumpered, but with no luck. There is certainly pressure to the fuel distributor, although I have not properly tested it. I guess I should see if there is anything coming OUT of the distributor as well. What's very odd to me is that the car was running fine.. it would idle low and run rough when cold. I drove it about 200 or so miles home from where I bought it, and drove it occasionally during the summer. it would slowly get harder to start, until finally I noticed that the fuel pump stopped working. Because the car did not even cough with starting fluid, I 'm wondering now if I have an ignition problem, or even a greater electrical problem. by the way, I took the cover off my old relay , and it definitely had the scent of toasty electronics. regarding the fuel filter, It looks like I've got a brand new filter attached to the fuel pump.

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1967 250SeC
1979 450sel 6.9 (usa)
2009 S550