Dead short 1986 Eagle

[charlie D]

I have a dead short on my 1986 Eagle. I have done the standard remove each fuse one at a time and check to see if there is still a draw on the battery with everything off. No dice, still showed dead short. The horn works so that fusable link is OK. I have the factory repairs manual to help. BUT everything seems to work OK, so not really sure where to start poking. The only thing I notice that is a little suspicious is one headlight seems a little dim, but not much so figure I will check the connection to the bulb tomorrow. Any suggestions?
Charlie D

[mo.eagles]

Disconnect the alternator and then check.

[AMC of Houston]

What mo.eagles said.  A bad diode in the alt will drain the battery while sitting.

[charlie D]

I disconnected the alternator and still show a draw on the battery. Thanks for the tip, but the diode is now off the list. I went back and confirmed that removing fuses one at a time did not solve the short. As I was reconnecting the battery while doing this, I heard a faint chime(my hearing is not good). I am suspecting that the warning system for key, headlights, seat belt is the issue. I had removed one of the circuit breakers on the side of the fuse box, the smaller one, and it made no difference. There is a large thinner one piggy backed to that circuit breaker that does not seem to want to come off. There is no warning buzzer on the other side of the fuse box as shown in the manual. I am thinking that if I can just get to the buzzer, chime itself and disable it, that will cure the battery drain. Have a battery disconnect so its not a big deal to leave it alone, but my German heritage will not let me do that in good conscience. Anyone know how to get to the buzzer/chime? Is it behind the fuse box? Thanks
Charlie D

[AMC of Houston]

The chime (big box) and various buzzers (little modules) are separate parts.  Go to the Epadia and the '84-'88 parts manual - Section 87-30 to see what they look like, and the color-coding of the different buzzers.

May want to check the key buzzer switch under the steering wheel - sometimes the contacts or plastic housing will break and short the contacts.