Hmmm.... I reread everything and a thought popped into my head... since it will start after you touch the battery connections together you might be having an issue with your computer, since touching those ends together would just discharge a capacitor since your neg cable goes directly to ground.... check your two main grounds (ground strap at the back of the motor on the firewall, and the ground from the battery terminal to the fender) if those are good, then when it doesn't start next do the 3 key flip thing and see if the computer even gives a normal code (If I remember correctly its 25 or 52, its in the chiltons I remember that much). If it doesn't even give a good code you have issues :P

 

It does not start after touching the battery cables togther.

I have actully gotten past that.

IT cranks now, but no fuel, the fuel pump comes on, but no fuel inthe rail, and no tach while cranking.

No codes because it will not fire up.

Trying to find the logic flow chart for the start sequence.
I have the schematics, but not the logic input requirements.
Trying to determine what sensors need to be Hi to permit the start.