97 T&C Fuel Problem?

I have a 1997 Town & Country 3.3L that has been starting fine until today. This morning it started no problem, but when I drove to my destination and went to leave after 2.5hrs it would not start. The battery is fine it just would not fire. I had it towed home and checked some fuses and relays and it still would not start. Someone told me to tap the bottom of the fuel tank because it could be a fuel pump problem and this might jar something loose.
I tried that and ironically it started. Don't know if it is coincidental or what but wondered if anyone has ever heard of this before. Is this a sign that the fuel pump is going bad?
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks.

Not ironic at all, a good sign that the pump is intermittently defective.

How hard is the fuel pump? Has anyone had to do one?

It's not too bad. From memory.....get the tank as empty as possible, remove the straps with a jack underneath it, partially lower the tank and disconnect the wiring, and disconnect the quick connects for the fuel filter on the gas lines. Then you can lower it all the way. Unscrew the lock ring that holds the pump in. Install the new pump re-install..

1. I bet you can find a lot better tutorial than this by searching the forum or refering to a Haynes manual..that's how I got mine...You might even find printable tech info a Autozone.com

2. If you can't get all the gas out...you can leave the electical hooked up disconnect the output line from the filter asby and let the pump, pump it out into a gas can.

Spit

this is very easy get a clean pan to catch gas remove two strap bolts, borrow a spanner wrench remove retaining ring install new pump