Tracking down a short

I really didn't want to get into a pissing match .

I don't know why it is that suddenly this is a "pissing match."

The FACT (not piss) is that you are incorrect.

That does not make you a lesser person, you are simply incorrect

THERE IS ENOUGH parasitic load on ANY car (even older cars, diode leakage or just plain dirt and corrosion) that a voltmeter and ESPECIALLY a modern high impedance digi meter, will simply show battery voltage with NO load other than NORMAL parasitic drain.

And..............any modern car with a memory device, IE radio or engine computer will MOST CERTAINLY show battery voltage if a voltmeter is used in this manner.

THE FACT is that using a voltmeter as you describe shows you NOTHING meaningful. NOTHING

You MUST measure current.