Triumph Repair: triumph spitfire 1972 electrical, starter solenoid, brown wires

Question
Hi Howard, I own a 1972 Triumph Spitfire Mark 4 and it seems that my battery is loosing its charge when the ignition is off and the car is stored for a day or so.I recently had the alternator re-conditioned. There is spark on the terminals of the battery if i remove the positive cable and touch it to the positive terminal of the battery with the ignition off. I'm assuming i have some short in wiring. Any Suggestions ??   Thanks,  Wayne.....

Answer
Hi Wayne,
A rough test is to put a 12v test light between the battery cable and the post instead of scratching it on the post for a spark. If you can light a test light (with everything off) then you have too much current draw.

First disconnect the alternator (it does not matter that it was just repaired do it anyway)

Then do the light test.

Next you should get out your wiring diagram and start removing fuses, keeping the test light between the cable and the battery post.

If you still have not found it remove the large brown wires off of the starter solenoid.

When you are able to put the test light out use your diagram to isolate closer.

If you don't have a diagram let me know and I will post one on my web site for you to copy.

Howard