I did some searching but I really didn't find anything that addressed my questions specifically so here goes:
I'm replacing a fuel pump in a GSL-SE that hasn't been running in a very long time. When I bought it (about 2 years ago) I started it up and it chugged for a moment and then died. I checked the fuel lines and there was no fuel (I put about two gallons of gas in prior). I drained the tank, installed a new filter, and bought a new pump. The car has compression and spark as well.
So my questions are: Is the ticking sound that comes from the engine after I try starting it the fuel system working? It makes a ticking noise for about 5 seconds after I try starting it. I always thought that was the fuel pump but the pump itself isn't even installed yet. Also, I bought a multi-meter to check the connection to the pump, but I have no idea of what to set it to in order to check the wires. What setting do I use to check the fuel pump wires? And I have to check it while the engine is ticking correct?

 

the ticking you here is most likely a solenoid on the rats nest dont worry too much about that but if you want to check the pump itself then set it to resistance( upside down horseshoe ) and for the power and ground wires going to the pump, voltage DC

 

Also remember that there won't be power to the fuel pump unless you turn the key to the start position. All I do is put the probes for the volt meter into the fuel pump plug then put the volt meter on the seat when you turn it over.