Maybe there is a slim link between your idle issue and sometimes no-start. If the VAF connector was intermittent/dirty, idle would suffer because of bad sensor data to the PCM, and maybe the fuel pump switch part of that connector was intermittent also ( the fuel pump only starts up if the VAF detects air going into the engine). Just a long shot, disconnect and reconnect that connector about a dozen times to clean the pins. If it helps idle, then cross your fingers for no-start being cured.
If the car doesn't start again, first try jumpering the fuel pump test leads to force the pump on, bypassing the VAF switch. Short the yellow connector, passenger side firewall, the black wire to the green with white stripe wire. If car starts then you may have a VAF issue.
If no start, go to the trunk and make sure the red button on the fuel pump safety switch is fully depressed. Driving over a pot hole can turn on this switch, and maybe your's is right on the edge of turning off??? It's under the spare tire cover, on the left. (Long shot here!!)
If no start look at the tach while cranking. If the needle is moving, then you are getting spark.
If you need to pull the fuel line to see if that trick works, observe if the fuel is under pressure when the line is 1st pulled, before cranking. If it is, then you have no spark or no injector operation. If no pressure, then
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