[David R.]

Here is another place to look. I recently rebuilt my AA starter. When I tested the field coils they tested ok for continuity but also showed a high resistance to the shell; ‘leaky’ insulation. I pulled the fields out and gave them a good coating of electrical insulating varnish and no more leaks. This would no doubt have had the potential to become a parasitic draw as you describe it. I also tested starter switch and it tested ‘leaky’ also. This is a good place to look also. Carbon, which is an excellent conductor, can build up in the switch insulation (from repeated arcing of contacts) and cause a leak there.