Chrysler Repair: Battery discharging problem, volt ohm meter, amp meter

Question
1998 Chrysler sabring Convertible.  had a new battery but in about 3 weeks ago, from that point on the battery light would go off and on..I was  out driving for a couple hours and when i tried to put the top up it sounded like i didn't have enough power we had to help, after it was up and I turned of the car it sounded like the motor was still running after flipping it a few times the noise stopped. went out 15 min, later and all the bell and whistles sounded but it only clicked. wouldn't start, my fist thought Alternator,towed to sears, (the only place i had with a card) they check it out when it got there and it started, they recharged the battery and ask if i had left any any thing on "NO"  went and got it, driving home the light came on again,, took it to where i got the battery, put it on the reader, nothing...so replaced the battery, said that was it. coming home 2 miles, the light came on again,  drove it less then 10 miles when i got home , putting up the windows i got a another sound like before. something was still running turned it off tried to restart it and again only got the clicking, every thing else worked, when i go to restart it it like sounds like it will star for about 3 second then just clicks.
next thought starter.. any ideas,, help this back yard mechanic.   sorry it so long...

Answer
Hi Shirley,
Do you a volt-ohm meter (or better yet) a volt-ohm-amp meter? That device would help to separate whether the problem is the alternator not putting out voltage at the level required to keep the battery charged, or whether there is a circuit that is drawing current when it shouldn't or drawing too much current when it is put in action (such as the power top motor). I would start, if you have such a meter, by disconnecting the - post battery clamp and if you have the ammeter put it between the post and the clamp to measure the current flow, with everything shut off including all the doors closed and lights off. If you don't have amp meter in the unit, then disconnect the + post clamp too, and then put the meter between the two cable clamps and measure the ohms that is shown.
Once we know what the 'ignition off' current or resistance reading is we can then decide how to find the fault or focus upon the alternator as the problem.
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Roland