Did a search like a good newbie, and though I found a few relevant threads, I would appreciate a little more help...

I'm experiencing battery drain issues when the car is parked. I've already replaced the battery. Just to rule out the alternator (rebuilt 2 years ago), I disconnected the -ve terminal of the battery and used a multimeter to span the gap. The reading I get is 126-130mA while everything is off. I disconnected this lead (circled below) on the alternator and I'm still getting the same reading. Is this a good enough test to rule out the alternator? Thanks.

 

I would say yes, that should be a good enough test to rule out the alt. But it wouldn't hurt to go ahead and pull the lead you have circled as well as the plug on the back of the alt.

Zach

 

The dark current draw you are seeing is high. I checked the manual and couldn't find what it should be for this car, but I know that for an RX-8 the dark current draw should be around 20 mA. Start removing fuses while you are reading the current draw until you isolate where the execessive draw originates. Then troubleshoot that system/component.