Troubleshooting a pickup

[cellardweller]

My old baseball bat of a Kramer decided it no longer liked the dimarzio Fred in the neck position.
It's been my long held, possible misconception, that very little can go wrong with the actual pickup itself. Is this true?
When I place the 5-way in the neck position, there is nothing, no hum... nothing...
There is one volume knob for the bridge, single-coil in middle, and neck pos. pickup, two tone knobs, and as I said a 5 way switch.

I have borrowed a little multimeter, but I have no idea what to look for. I don't think I can use it for "continuity". It's not like the Fluke multi at work...

Any suggestions, or list of usual suspects?

 

[boingoman]

My old baseball bat of a Kramer decided it no longer liked the dimarzio Fred in the neck position.
It's been my long held, possible misconception, that very little can go wrong with the actual pickup itself. Is this true?
When I place the 5-way in the neck position, there is nothing, no hum... nothing...
There is one volume knob for the bridge, single-coil in middle, and neck pos. pickup, two tone knobs, and as I said a 5 way switch.

I have borrowed a little multimeter, but I have no idea what to look for. I don't think I can use it for "continuity". It's not like the Fluke multi at work...

Any suggestions, or list of usual suspects?

I'd check the other wiring first. You might just be able to see if something is disconnected. Right at the switch or volume pot is a good place to start.

You is right-not much can go wrong with the pickup, though it is possible the winding broke.
Set the meter for ohms- 0 or very low ohms is continuity. You might have to unsolder the pickup to check the resistance. It should be around 10k ohms.