1991 Accord problems

I've got a problem with my 1991 accord. The other day, the speedometer and RPM needles went haywire, and the engine died. No chugging, funny noises, nothing. It just cut out. Now the car will not start. When the key's turned, it begins to turn over, but at the top of its compression, it cuts out. There's battery power and everything, it just doesn't go.
A mechanic friend has told me it's the fuel pump. This brings me to the next problem. The pump is not external. Which obviously means it's internal. However, the sole hatch in the trunk to check the tank is access only to the float in the gas tank. That's it. No pump assembly there.
Can somebody please give me some advice on this? I'm at my wit's end, and I'm pretty much ready to drop the tank tomorrow morning to find this mystery pump.

Thanks in advance,

Chris Barton