When I disconnect the lead to negative battery terminal and measure resistance from positive terminal to ground I get about 0.5 ohms close to a short. If I install charged battery it essentially shorts out. Car was running fine for 2 weeks with new battery then suddenly dead one morning. A red lead goes from positive terminal to post beside fuse box. On same post is another heavy lead which I am guessing goes to starter motor. When I remove this2nd lead from the post the problem disappears, positive terminal no longer connected to ground. Does this mean that my starter solenoid or starter somehow is shorting out to ground? Cannot charge the battery when installed in car, charge meter needle goes crazy essentially shorting I guess. Any suggestions as to how to reach the solenoid/starter so I can poke around with my ohmmeter. Can this be done from hood or must I get under the car which may not be possible.

I had same problem with my Landrover a few weeks back, zero resistance of positive terminal to ground when negative disconnected. Car was fine no symptoms then suddenly would not start after sitting overnight. Triple A could not get it started with portable battery, hauled it off to the dealer on flatbed. Dealer said no problem, all it needed was a new battery. No more problems. What is going on here? Did moving the car somehow remove the short?

Can these cars somehow develop a short when stopped and drain the battery.

 

You will need to check the alternator-starter-battery connection path.

You can begin by disconnecting the alternator to see if the short disappears. If it doesn't, then go to the starter solenoid and check the main connection for burnt, corroded or loose wires. That is where the starter, alternator and battery connect together and it is often the cause of charging issues.

Two wires with fusible links run between the alternator and the solenoid post and the 3rd wire runs between the solenoid post and the battery(+). Look at the diagram:

 

First disconnect the big red wire from the back of the alternator. If the diodes in the alternator are shorted, that is a path tp ground.