Finding a Short

[f350none]

My 00 Exployer has a short. If it sets for a few weeks the battery dies. I took the negative cable off and put and amp guage in the circut. It shows a drain of 4 to 5 amps. I pulled all the fuses (dash and under hood) and disconnected the alt. (not all at the same time) and the draw of 4 to 5 amps is still there. Am I testing it wrong? Where do I go next? Also when I hook the ground back up it sparks (I think that means it has a draw) and somtimes I hear a sound like a door lock trying to work. I do not have a manuel so I don't know which fuse that is but I did pull them all and the draw was still there.

 

[budwich]

your testing is good. likely culprit is the cabling going to your starter...cabling to your starter is not fused. Also before power gets to your fuse boxes, it has to travel from your battery to those points. Anywhere along the way could be an area of poor insulation... ie. cut or broken insulation. Pulling your fuses and such only takes care of things after those points, not before. Further, the back side connections at fuse boxes (distribution boxes) might have a short condition.... bolt or metal contacting somewhere or a spade connector loose and touching somewhere. Not much help but you have to keep poking around.