Dead when key is on

Hello all,

I'm hoping to save an hour or so with the multimeter in the hopes that maybe this is a common problem. I have NOT checked it out yet -- hoping maybe someone can tell me where to look first:

Car is a 1980 308 GTBi. It has Birdman's fuse blocks. When it was about 70 miles into a 100 mile freeway trip, everything electrical died, and the car shut off. Cursory inspection revealed the following:

- Fuel pump fuse blown
- Everything associated with the ignition key is dead. In other words, everything that is supposed to turn on or happen when the ignition key turns on is not happening. i.e., Headlights/tail lights work, as they can be any time. Dome light works, as it can be any time. Hazards work when key is off, but not when key is on (I believe they operate on a different circuit with the key on because of the turn signals). Radio, starter, wipers, power windows, etc. etc. etc. don't work; nothing that works with the key comes alive. Basically, it is like there is no connection at the ignition key. Dead at the start position, too.
- Replaced fuel pump fuse, everything is still dead.
- Battery drained from full to dead in about 8 days with car parked in garage waiting for me to look at it, nothing left on. (I've been away on a business trip.)


So, the obvious thing for me to check is if there is a burned contact on the ignition switch. . . . But I thought I would ask the experienced folk here for other possibilities, such as:

- is there a main circuit (like the #1 fuse that excites all of the relays) that can kill all of the function of the "on" and "start" position of the ignition switch? i.e. where do those wires from the ignition switch go, before I go blind looking at the diagram in the owner's manual . . .

- does a blown fuel pump fuse or break in that circuit kill everything, or just the fuel pump?

- are the ignition switches known to burn contacts?

- any specific circuits or places to check?


I appreciate all of your input.


Thanks,

Tony K.