I disconnected neg cable and showed no amp draw but put test light in series and I show 12.2 volts constantly. Battery dead in morning. Maybe I’m not checking amp reading correctly. Any help ?

 

This should get you started.

 

That video might be okay for a Honda, but even our "antique" C4's have much more exotic electronics than Eric's Honda! If you use his initial hook-up procedure of the amp meter (DVM) in a C4, you will be lead astray! There are several electronic units in the C4 that will come "alive" when you connect your battery, such as your interior lights and your ECM. This will show a high initial amp draw, even though there may not be a problem. These units will take some time after the battery is connected before "going to sleep". This must be considered when you're doing this test!

His suggestions about being sure everything is turned off is good. Don't forget the hood lamps. After disconnecting the negative battery terminal, put a short jumper wire between the negative battery post and the negative cable. After the interior lights go off, wait another 30 seconds, then connect your amp meter (set for 10 Amps) between the negative terminal and the cable without disconnecting the jumper. The polarity of the test leads does not matter. After the meter is installed, remove the jumper wire. The reading should be less than one Amp. This initial test is looking for serious problems.

If the initial test is okay, re-connect the jumper wire, then remove the DVM and adjust it to the 200 mA scale. You may have to use a different test connection on your DVM. Re-connect the DVM, and verify that your interior lamps are still off. Now remove the jumper wire. The current drain should now be less that 50 mA (0.050 A).

 

You have one thing right! You are not using your DVM correctly.

If you disconnect a battery cable, then check the voltage between the battery post and the cable, you will read the battery voltage. A "test light" between the battery post and the cable will also show battery voltage.

 

Thanks