If your meter is set to amps, it has to be inserted in SERIES in the circuit. In other words, remove a connection at a terminal in the circuit and connect one lead to the terminal and the other to the wire you just removed. If you're connecting to the contacts at the bulb socket, you're measuring the amps drawn by the meter by completing the circuit through the meter. Doing that can blow the fuse in the meter if the circuit is powered. (Don't ask how I know that.
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Are you actually draining the battery or are you just going by what your meter is telling you (connected incorrectly)?
