Driving home from work, all running smooth, stopped at stop light and still all good. Went on green, got through intersection, then died and battery light came on. Wouldn't start again. After 2 or 3 more starting attempts it started and reved to about 2000 rpm. Then it slowly went down in rpms until it died, and giving it gas while it was doing that did nothing. Every now and then it will start and do this for a few seconds but ultimately dies and giving it gas doesn't help. So far ruled out battery, alternator or any other electrical for starting due to the fact it does start every now and then. Guessing fuel pressure problem, checked all vacume lines, fuel related sensors... Appear good. Checked the fuel pressure test valve and no fuel comes out when pushed in. So changing fuel filter now to see if that helps. Next going to furl pump. Going to be stuck after that. Any ideas on my lovely non running 98 le?

 

Its your fuel pump.
It revved like that because the engine was loaded up on fuel, once that burnt off you were done.