The car will crank and occasionally start on its own but the last couple time it will only start with starting fluid,once it starts and will run and idle on its own.

its and old car, and id bet never once tuned up in last decade.
did i guess right?
no spark, well, it takes spark at all cylinders not 1.
is spark good out of coil to distributor top?

if not, then we insert the diagnostic jumper to the DLC port
OBD1 ECU, back in 92. (old systems)
then crank for 5 seconds
then release key
then watch the ECU tell you why it fails to make sparks.

the cmp sensor instigates spark. think of dummer boy in band
then the ECU sees that and creates all spark.
via the IGNITOR, the IGNitor charges the spark coil and BAM
spark , if the cmp (sensor) or ignitor fails the ecu sees that
and reports it, all you do is LOOK.

IF IT WILL RUN WITH STATER FLUID YOU HAVE A FUEL ISSUE. SINCE PUMP SOUNDS DIFFERENT I WOULD START THERE. CHECK FOR VOLUME & PRESSURE ON FUEL RAIL IF IT NOES NOT THEN THE PROBLEM IS IGNITON, CHECK FOR SPARK

open air cleaner lid and have someone spary a small shot of starting fluid at the same time someone is cranking engine over-if it trys to start you have a fuel problem if it doesn't could be a few other other issues but I would then check to see if you have spark coming from or to spark plugs.

One way to check the fuel pump is to turn the ignition to on and listen for the pump to run. It should run for a few seconds. It may be a couple of seconds after you turn the ignition to on before it runs. Normally you can do this repeated times.

If you don't hear the pump run that is most probably the problem.

timings off or timing belt broken slipped remove oil cap try and see if valves are moving.Try removing a couple plugs spray in some gas/starting fluid and replace plugs kinda quickly and attempt to start should fire. if it does exhaust valves are dumping fuel before compression stoke timing issue

This is usually the crank position sensor...some parts shops can help you with the location...hope this helps:) This should keep you from being stranded...

When it won't start, does it crank over and not fire?

check fuel pressure, try cycling the key to the on position an couple of times not the start position to cycle the fuel pump then try to start it. could be the cold start circuit. once its warm does it start easy ?

Sounds like the EGR valve is bad.

TRY RUNNING A BETTER GRADE OF GAS ALONG WITH 2 BOTTLES OF FUEL INJECTOR CLEANER FOR 2 TANKS OF GAS.