With the ignition off the amp light shows a drain and the battery will go dead overnight. This problem has been slowly creeping in and getting worse, it started with the amp charge indicator showing mostly faint glow and with the headligts on was increased. Usually at 35 mph okay, only at an idle was the drain indicated. The night it decided to die I noticed the driver side headlight dim like at 1/2 voltage.

With the battery charged restart the car then pull the + lead off the battery and the engine stops. Also if I remove the small wire from the reg/term lug of the alternator the amp light drain goes away. Ohming that wire to grn shows 2 ohms almost a short. Disconnecting the voltage regulator has no effect. I did replace the alternator - no change.

It doesn't appear that there are any shops in this area willing to work on a '71 144, esp electrical. With it being a short maybe with help I could get close?

Oh - I did inherit this brick from my middle child. He will be back in May and I hope I can bring it back to life by then!

Thanx,

Doug