When you turn the key to position II (before you crank)
the pump normally runs for a couple of seconds to
prime the fuel system before you crank. In a correctly
operating system you will hear the pump whirr for
a few seconds and then stop. When you crank
and after starting, the fuel pump should run
constantly. So to answer your question, the 1-2 second
12V is normal.

When the pump was connected did you hear it?
If you have someone turn the key and the access
panel is open and you are right over the pump
you should hear it run. If you are getting 12V
on the pump leads I am going to guess it's the pump.

Check the archives on this one as many people
have been here before...
Check out the fuel pump relay underneath the
fuse block under the hood on the driver's side.
It should be clicking when you turn the key -
this is a much cheaper part than the fuel pump.
As you are getting 12V at position II it is most likely
the pump are you at about 160K miles?

You can get a pump rebuild kit from FCP groton
which is cheaper than the entire pump. This is
a pretty easy job as Volvo was nice enough to give
you an acess to the top of the tank - unlike some
other cars...

Good luck with it!
--
1990 240DL - 209K, 1989 Ranger 241K, Gone but not forgotten 1994 855