How can you check if a fuel pump is receiving power?

To determine if a fuel pump is receiving power, using a multimeter at the connector while the ignition is ON is an effective method. This approach allows you to directly measure the voltage at the fuel pump connector, ensuring that the electrical system is supplying the necessary voltage for the pump to operate. With the ignition in the ON position, the fuel pump relay is energized, and a multimeter will show if there is voltage present, indicating that the pump is capable of functioning correctly.

Listening for a sound when the ignition is off does not provide accurate information about power delivery because the fuel pump only operates when the ignition is ON. Checking the fuel level does not reveal anything about the electrical system or the fuel pump's functioning; it's solely an indication of the amount of fuel available in the tank. Using a test light on the ground wire would only confirm that the ground connection is good, but it does not provide information on whether power is being delivered to the pump itself. Thus, measuring the voltage with a multimeter at the connector while the ignition is ON is the most reliable method to check if a fuel pump is receiving power.