Ok. I need you to perform the following voltage checks.
Disconnect electrical connector from fuel pump.
1. Positive lead to battery positive; negative lead to Battery negative (voltage reading?
2. Positive lead to Pin A on the fuel pump connector; negative lead to battery negative (voltage reading)?
Reconnect the fuel pump connector;
back-probe electrical connector with T-pins (available on Amazon)
3. Positive lead to Pin A on the fuel pump connector; negative lead to battery negative (voltage reading)
4. Same as step 3, but what is the voltage when you connect the lanyard to the DESS post?
On the schematic below, pin 1-26 is battery positive from the MPEM (A on the fuel pump); Pin 1-1 (D on the fuel pump) is the ground for the fuel pump motor from the ECM. The driver in the ECM is only active for a few seconds when you connect the lanyard to the DESS post as you know. Don't worry about pins B & C on the pump; those are for the fuel level sender circuit.
View attachment 64908
The voltage should be the same or steps 1 & 2. If the voltage in step 2 is lower; you need to look for a short in the fuel pump positive wire. Damage to the wiring insulation, and corrosion. Corrosion in the harness can cause voltage drops in the circuit; if the voltage drop is too much, the fuel pump won't run. Also check for corrosion on the contact pins of the harness that connects to the fuel pump.
Voltage in step 3 should be similar to steps 1 & 2.
Voltage in Step 4 will drop slightly when the fuel pump is activated, but should go back up as soon as the ECM times out and deactivates the circuit.