Testing water pump no power.

Forget testing continuity with a multimeter. It is likely to provide unrealistic readings which will confuse you. Trust me.

Your best method of testing is to reconnect to the battery and switch the pump on. Then use your meter on 'Volts' to test for 12v at the pump terminals. If you do not get 12v at the pump terminals proceed as follows: With the multimeter on 'Volts', connect its negative probe to the battery negative post and use the meter's positive probe to observe voltages starting from the battery positive post then along the positive wire, where accessible, all the way to the pump. The meter should be reading close to +12v all the way. If not then the fault is between the last +12v reading and the next low reading.

If you are reading +12v all the way to the pump, then test the negative wire from the battery as before still with the meter's negative probe on the negative battery post. Use the meter's positive probe to test from the negative side of the pump back along the negative wire to the battery. The meter should be reading close to zero volts all the way. At any point where the reading changes significantly from the last reading is the failed connection.

Do not be tempted to connect the meter's negative probe to a reference point anywhere but the actual battery negative post, right on the lead post, not the clamp terminal, or you could get false readings. Also do not have the engine running or any other loads such as radio switched on.

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WARNING

After Bruce posted the schematic for an LED test lamp with a load resistor I thought to add links to ready-made test lamps.
What I did find however were warnings about the possibility of setting off airbags whilst probing around with test lamps containing incandescent lamps or load resistors.

My old Troopy does not have airbags but if you do have them, better be careful of where you are probing, or use only low-current test instruments such as a multimeter or LED test lamp without a load resistor.

In general, I can see risks associated with working on the vehicle electrics when airbags are fitted. Setting them off can be a very expensive error and possibly render the vehicle undriveable!

For those who would wish to purchase a LED 12v circuit tester this one from Supercheap or similar from other auto accessory stores would do.