[iachella]

The focus is the starter relay circuit, as the drain is happening there.

Further investigation shows that the wire from the ignition switch is contributing to the drain. Only that wire when disconnected will remove the drain.

The PO had installed a push button starter switch under the dash. It is a marine style push button with a rubber cover over it. I can investigate the push button more, but I put the volt meter up to the wire by itself and there is 12v on the wire. I would have guessed the starter wire was 0V and when you push it, it goes to 12V. Does the starter switch work in reverse of that logic?

At least for now I know I can remove this wire before the weekend and keep a healthy battery.

 

[iachella]

Does your GTV have a factory-installed starter relay?

It is old, metalic and looks stock. Jim's (papajam) wiring diagrams for 74 show a relay. Here is what it looks like. It will be a while before I crawl under the dash and pull out the push button, as I pulled a ligament in my shoulder (**** kids scooter). Not too flexible right now.

At least this spade is easy to get to and I can disconnect it at night to prevent battery drain.

 

[iachella]

I had one of those for a while and it fell apart. I got another brand new one and it fell apart while I was installing it.

Disconnecting the starter wire from the relay is just as easy. I could even put a switch inline if I think it will be too long before I can get to the heart of the problem. Though, little switches in the engine compartment will look like I'm a hack.

Well maybe I am...

 

[iachella]

How exactly did you hook up the ammeter?

I pulled the negative off the battery and put the ammeter inline to close the circuit.

It turns out that I have two relays on the firewall near each other. The one that was hooked up to a 12V constant is not actually doing anything with the starter. The car starts fine with it disconnected. Years ago my mechanic installed a relay to stop the starter run-on problem that I was having (Spica/CCS) and I suspect this is why it can start. I will need to dig into it to see exactly how everything is wired and sort it out, but I am not draining my battery any more and I can start the car.

The battery has been affected though. There is a faint glow in warning light. I've charged this one up so many times on weekends that it can't be very healthy anymore.