A metering pump is typically used to move a specified volume of liquid in a specified amount of time. Because it may be desirable to maintain fluid in the pumping system such that the metering pump ismaintained in a primed condition, an automatic prime detection function is provided by monitoring the current to a solenoid assembly of the pump. A loss of prime condition can then be detected by comparing the measured current to a characterized selected current value such that operation of the metering pump can be changed based on load.