I have an electrical short. If I touch the ground cable to the post in the dark, I get a spark. If I leave the battery connected, it goes down in a couple days. If I leave the ground cable disconnected, it will stay up for weeks. I have tested the battery and alternator and they are fine. I have checked the van for any light coming on when the battery is connected and don't find any. Any suggestions where to start looking for the short? I only drive this vehicle occasionly, so I'm using a quick connect for now, but would like to fix it right.

 

Do you have any kind of test equip available to use like an ammeter or voltmeter?

 

I have a voltmeter and a continuity tester. Just hate to check every circuit. I was wondering if these vans had a history or any specific shorts? My inlaws bought this new, so it is very low mileage. But because it has a conversion package, it has a lot of electrical circuits.

 

This is one of the things you can try.
There are certain fuses that are supplying circuits all the time and others that are activated only when the key is on.
If you remove the row(s) of fuses that are hot all the time and connect the positive lead of the voltmeter to a hot supply, then take the negative test lead and probe the other side of each fuse slot. With everything turned off , you should get no reading if the circuit is open. If it is connected to any type of ground the meter will read battery voltage and that is the circuit you should check out further. Don't forget to have the doors closed so the door switch will not activate the courtesy lights. There are other ways to check, but I believe this is the quickest. Also , if you lay the fuses out as removed they are easier to install in the proper slot.

 

Thank you, I'll try that when it warms up outside. Too cold here to do much now.

 

The tail light fuse stays hot all the time when the battery is connected. Probably a bad headlight switch?

 

One of the things you can do is to unplug the switch and see what you get. When the headlight switch is in the off position there should be no drain. Check the interior light position and make sure it is in the off position. You're making good progress !