Intermittently (I hate that word) my battery has completely discharged). Intermittenly I measure about 3.5 amps at the battery with everything turned off (and he door closed). I really don't need the meter because there is significant sparking. I removed the four smaller wires from the the positive terminal of the battery and the culprit is the large conductor. I disconnected the alternator and the short persists (but not all the time).
I know there are multiple possibilities, but I thought that someone may have had the same experience. Perhaps it is a sticking relay but I don't see any likely looking candidates in the schematic.
By the way, I get some sparking at the positive terminal of the alternator, when I rev it up to 2000 rpm (generating about 16 volts). According to the FAQs that voltage is OK. Also, I checked the AC output from the alternator and it is about .5 volt, which I believe is OK.
Any help is appreciated.
Did I tell you I think my Volvo is a Chinese knockoff. Nothing built in Sweden could cause so many problems. Or perhaps the car knows my ancestors were Norskis and it's trying to get even.

Al Stensby