Starter pos wire from engine fuse box drains battery 2.8amp

[jimbobwae]

Been on the NAS110 electrical world tour and after installing a new starter, the Defender is sucking 2.8a from the battery. Checked all four wires going to the solenoid and the culprit is the one from the engine fuse box.

Additional info - I just installed SDO's push-to-start. migrated the four wires to the Carling and attached ground to the bulkhead. Works beautifully BTW.

Visually checked the four fuses in the Engine Bay Fuse block. The 60a fuse for ignition seems Ok - I did not pull it yet.

Why would this POS (positive) create a draw? What obvious thing am I missing?

Any ideas appreciated

 

[Mirrajumper]

What brand starter did you use?

 

[jimbobwae]

A new Lucas. It replaced a Magneto Marelli.
If I wasn’t influenced by the desire to adhere to originality I’d check out SDOs high torque option.

 

[jimbobwae]

Found the problem: Bad Fuel Pump Relay. Replaced with AFU2913L. Page 86 of the Revised Oct 1993 Manual showing the electrical circuit diagram was key to isolating the issue.