I have an 1985 300SD Turbo. I just had to replace the alternator and the starter switch - big $. There is an amp wired to the battery and the mechanic disconnected it saying that it was drawing too many amps and was draining the battery - which he claims ended up burning up the stuff in the charging system (alternator and switch). The wire to the amp is connected to the positive terminal and he claimed it arched (sp?) really bad proving his point. When I tried to reconnect it to the battery it didn't arch at first, but then it actually did pop and crackle really bad. My question, does this arching really mean anything? How can I tell if the amp is drawing down the battery? Could it be that the alternator and the switch was the problem (battery going dead and electrical acting up in car) and I am okay now?
Thanks in advance for your help. Chris