ok, here's the latest. my bench testing method was faulty, evidently you can't use a test light for the (+) lead. so, once I discovered that idiotic error, the old pump tested out fine and whirred like a champ. I plugged in the fuel tank harness and hooked up my meter to the terminal plug that powers the pump. when I had someone turn on the key it flashed 6.xx volts for a second or two, then 11.77v and then zeroed out with the key in the on position. shouldn't the lead be maintaing 12v to the pump?
any thoughts yall? the initial pump sound was never able to be heard before I removed tank etc. my next step will be to plug in pump laying loose I guess and see if it spins up as it is supposed to immediately before start up. any thoughts appreciated