Chasing a parasitic drain on the ammeter circuit

67Dart273 said
If you have pulled all fuses, to no avail, then........

think hard about other circuits. Dome, courtesly, glove box, trunk lamp. Are they all out?

I had removed the dome light because I was constantly going in and out of the car. There is no trunk, glove box, or courtesy lights.

67Dart273 said
That is a substantial amount of current. If it is a partial short, it should be generating heat. .3A x 12V is 3.6watts, and .6A x 12V is 7.2 watts That is plenty enough that you could feel it if you feel along a harness

I will check the harnesses.

67Dart273 said
RE-connect your ammeter circuit as this tells you nothing. At least not really. Because you have disconnected a fair amount in there.

FIRST thing I would try is to disconnect the alternator output cable. Leaky diodes, or a leaky radio suppression cap

Alternator cables were the second thing I disconnected after the fuses.

67Dart273 said
Next, do you have an aftermarket radio? Many of those have a full time 12V supply to keep the memories alive. If the radio itself works with the key off, it might be leaky components in the audio PA circuits.

The radio will be my first stop.

67Dart273 said
Can you round up a thermometer gun? With the load "drawing," that is plenty of heat that it should show up as elevated temps near the short or load

Yes, I have one. Thanks.