My MK1 Rabbit diesel Electrical overhaul.

[pingapong64]

Ah, the power of electricity... isn't it neat? No it's not! It's hard to deal with and I hate it!!! 

(the important stuff) My 83 Rabbit Diesel from my last post has had electrical issues with the glow plug line. I replaced the glow plugs to no avail. Rebuilt alternator and new battery put in, no change. I might also have to replace the battery a second time Found a second short on the fuse for interior lights/glove box light/clock. Removed the fuse, drain somewhat decreased when door was closed. It was irrelevant to the literal amps of power the battery was using while literally sitting there. The battery drains in mere seconds at this point. the amperage is so high that it melted one of the relays to it's connector!

(irrelevant ramblings) I think at this point it's something stupid like positive shorting to ground somewhere awful. Removing relays didn't change the drain on the battery. I think at this point with how many issues the car is having the only mechanic who will even touch it is a restoration specialist so I'm trying to do everything myself here.
I'll probably first remove the dash to get a better look at some wiring back there, Replace battery cables, clean ground terminals/make sure they are connecting and are in working order, replace all fuses/relays, remove the stupid radio because it's broken, maybe put in some new speakers and a new radio. I don't care about sound quality or anything so I'm not going to massacre my hatch panel with sub-woofers.

Anyway, I need help... Any advice on how I should approach this?

[fatmobile]

Hard to tell where to start.
 Take a look at the fuse box and see if anything is melted.
 The '83 electrical system is pretty reliable,.. compared to the one that are '80 and before.
 Or the german made one,.. or the Mk2s.
 All the others have a fusebox with plugs on the back, where pins can corrode.

 The '83 is wide open.
Wires go right to the fuse or relay connector on the back of the fuse box.

 Some upgrades you can do are:
 1. radiator fan relay on the radiator fan shroud, like the MK2s.
So those wires don't go through the firewall 4 times; to the fuse, out to the sensor, back from the sensor to the relay, then to the fan.

 2. Since this opens up the radiator fan relay spot on the fuse box,
it makes a nice spot for a reverse light relay,..
 because the lights burn out the spendy switch in the trany
and the reverse light wires go right past the fuse box.

 3. Ford starter solenoid type plug relay in the engine bay,
 so those fat wires don't need to go through the firewall twice.
 
 4. Headlight relays. Because it makes the lights brighter and the lights sometimes melt the switch.

There are spots for speakers in the sections on each side of the hatch center cover.