Car: 1986 mazda 626, 2.0L Problem, when starting the battery will drain as if there is a much larger than normal current drain. Starter doesn't even budge. Charge up battery and it will start normally until the problem reoccurs.
Battery: passes test at auto parts store, takes charge well. Alternator: passes on vehicle test putting out well over the minimum current, passed test at auto parts store. Starter, have just removed from the car, it passes every test, cept for questionable results on one.
Testing for continuity between the connector that gets the high current from the solinoid switch and the case, (starter disassembled, to see if the field coils are grounded) I get resistances of about 10Mohms on average. I dunno if this acceptable or not. I suppose that with the not-quite dead conditions I am dealing with the problem will be something that only shows up at high current. I haven't found anything shorted yet.
I know one of the three here have to be broke, unless it's just a battery cable. I'd like to find it before driving the car anywhere and ending up stranded.... At this point I'm tempted to put it all back together and run it until something breaks good... just affraid of a battery explosion.