How to test 76 530i fuel pump?

[canada karl]

I may have burned out the fuel pump by letting the gas level get too low and overheating the pump. I was seeing how low the gas would get before the Reserve light would go on.Now the fuel pump fuse keeps blowing and everything else on that circuit is out ie.dash lighting, temp gauge,fuel gauge when I try to start the car. cranks but no start. .Oddly I was working in that area mucking about with the dash lights so I'm not sure if that's the issue causing the blown fuse. If a Mylar plastic circuit on the back of the Console was damaged or broken would that shut down every item connected to that fuse? Is there a way to bypass that fuse to see if the fuel pump is the problem or to just be able to move the car temporarily until I can diagnose the dash problem if it's not the pump?

[BimBim2oo2]

If you have the pump pulled out you should be able to hook up a voltage source to see if it works. If it turns on when you apply direct voltage then you have another issue at hand.

Or

Just remove the fuel line going to the engine place it over a bucket and turn the key to see if it is delivering fuel

[canada karl]

Thanks for responding.Well it looks like I was over thinking the problem. Not the pump at all. It seems that when I pushed the brake light warning bulb holder into the console I managed to mash the two copper strips in the Mylar plastic together creating a short that would blow the fuse and shut down the console and the fuel pump.I pulled the two copper strips apart and wrapped up the Mylar with electricians tape. I guess I'm going to have to try and find the "fuel gauge" side of the dash consul somewhere as the Mylar connection to the brake light is Snafued?