am i losing the plot !

[staggering]

Guys - having spent a lot of time / money on new battery, alternator, wiring mods etc a few weeks ago and all ok on my mk2, I went for run (to test for water leaks (another problem)) and noticed that the ign light didn't come on (like normal) at start up and the voltmeter didn't read (no charge) but after a couple of miles it did (charge) and when I stopped and put ign switch to first position, the ign light did come on and all ok.
I thought I'd do some "poor connection" checks and in so doing found 12.6 volts from the NEG terminal of battery to any earth point on car without the NEG cable connected . The only time that this reading goes to zero is if I disconnect the POS cable
Is this usual, i.e. does it indicate that, although the NEG cable is disconnected, there is a power source / switch made somewhere in the car - or do you think I have a more serious electrical fault ?

Thanks for any ideas

Cheers
Ian

[V Mad]

Not sure what your test is trying to prove but if you disconnect the neg, and connect the meter between NEG and earth then you should expect to read the battery voltage. Nothing odd about that.
Cheers

[Andrew S]

Surely there will be no reading with one of the leads off the battery as there will be a break in they circuit. As Chris correctly implies, if you are putting a meter between the negative post of the battery to the disconnected negative battery lead, then all you are doing is putting the meter in line with the cars circuit and as Chris says, you will get a reading

[staggering]

Thanks Chris / Andrew - must have had a "senior moment" and forgot the basic principles of electricity

Cheers
Ian