As to the dry plugs question Gilly posed, where does the fuel pump relay get it's tach signal for that keeps it running?
If like many other cars it gets it from one of the poles of the coil, a failed coil could cause a no fuel condition as well.

I wouldn't think that the cost of the cap and rotor were wasted, as they're a routine maintenance item that is often overlooked in the first place. Having them in good shape does make for better operation, as you're apparently experiencing now, from your comments on the test drive.

Good to hear that you got it sorted out, regardless!

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-Josh
Testing the cheap Mercedes axiom, one bolt at a time...