1997 850 Sedan Manual Transmission 175k miles.

I think my fuel pump is failing me. (since this is about the right age for it to do so) Ran fine on the way to the store, but wouldn't start on the way back, so I let it sit for a few minutes, then it cranked up and off i went. Got home and started to tinker to find what happened. I noticed that there was no whirring noise when the key was in pos II, but it would start and not run. Other times it would whir, and run fine. What bothers me is that i can hear the pump while the car is running noth inside and outside the car. Does this sound like a failing pump? Thanks!