3.42mA draw on battery while key is out, is this normal?

[Poopie]

Good question, how do I go about testing the alternator myself without pulling it out?

Measure the voltage of the battery when the car is off. Then measure the voltage of the battery when the car is running. You should see about a 2 volt different. This means the battery is charging. If the alternator is the cuprit, you will eventually drain the new battery from just driving the car and having the entire electrical system function off the battery. You can also start the car, then pull the ground off the battery and see if the car dies. This means your alternator isn't putting out sufficient voltage to power the car and charge the battery.

[SpecM]

You can also start the car, then pull the ground off the battery and see if the car dies. This means your alternator isn't putting out sufficient voltage to power the car and charge the battery.

do NOT do this

it WILL damnage the DME/ECU/PCM on most any computer-controled car, and also put undue stress on the alternator

[Poopie]

I never had an issue before.

I had a similar issue with my girlfriends jetta. It ended up being a starter.