Not everyone owns an ammeter or feels comfortable in its use.   So, here's
an easy alternative method for verifying that leakage actually exists,
albeit crude & fallible.  Wait til dark, disconnect either battery lead and
then momentarily make connections by tapping the connector to the battery
post.  Any significant current load should produce a visible arc.  You might
even be able to see it in daylight.

Once/if you establish that you can "see" the leakage, you can then start
disconnecting things, pulling fuses, etc.  See other messages for more good
advice.  Message back if you need more help.

//Jack

Date sent:              Mon, 16 Aug 2004 10:41:26 EDT
Send reply to:          Gwg1928@AOL.COM
From:                   Warren Gaylor <Gwg1928@AOL.COM>
Subject:                Short in Electrical System
To:                     vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM

> Hi Fellow Westy addicts-
>      My 91 westy's battery is completely drained after not being driven for a
> couple of weeks, the battery is less than a year old and when put on the
> charger comes right up to fully charged. Any ideas how to start checking
> where the short may be? I think this is a fairly new problem as it has been
> not used for several months in the past with no hesitation on starting. I had
> to have a new A/C compressor installed and this problem has seemed to have
> started after this work was done, however all the connections there look
> okay, Any Ideas? Thanks Warren & Geranium the Fourth