fuel pump ?

it would seem the wifes 96 318ti wont start,it has been running like a top,no issues other than a minor oil leak.the car does turn over,i shot starting fluid into the throttle body and i could get it to bark abit,this wasnt a attempt to keep it running,just trying to do my best at diagnosing (spark,fuel and air )i can hear the fuel pump when i turn the key however i have no pressure on the injector rail ( the release valve ) next step was that i disconnected the fuel line at the fuel filter between tank and fuel filter.had no fuel come out of line when key switch was turn on,even though i could again hear the pump whine.questions
1)has anybody ever heard of fuel pump being bad and still audible,im thinking impellers may be bad ? i have replaced more than a few pumps over the years and either they were on or not,all or nothing.
2)while doing the previous i was taking breaks and looking through forums for some help,now im all stressed out over everything from cam,crank sensors to dme being fried from some bad windsheild seal...
am i on the right track ??

yes, a pump can spin but not build pressure when the vanes are worn enough.


your guage isn't reading empty, or almost empty, is it?? you may have a faulty sender for the guage.



df

gas gauge is reading about 3/4 full,what has me a bit baffled is the fact there was no warning whatsoever and that im still getting noises from the pump,even though like i said earlier no fuel is being pumped....new fuel pump on order,will pick-up and install in the a.m.
hope my guess is right,fairly expensive guess.
wish me luck

if there is power to the pump, and it is running, but nothing is coming out of the fuel line, then yeah, it sounds to me like a fuel pump.



df

yep fuel pump while at it replace filter