E30 ETA fail to restart. Electrical?

["Raymond M. Wong" <rmw325@xxxxxxxxx>]

Car is 86'325es very good running condition. 
Started car and drove about 5miles, noticed that the radio was flickering
on and off. Radio is aftermarket and has been in car for 3years no
problems. 
Parked car, shut off engine and tried to restart. 
No start no selenoid clicking nothing.
Check fuses, nothing blown.
Turning the key into the start position I get no starter 'click', hmm dead
starter?
Turning key in on position, radio powers off when I step on brake. Faulty
ground?
I ended up push starting the car in 3rd gear and drove back home.
At home I tried again to start the car and get nothing. 

I have an electrical meter that measures up to 10amps. How can I measure
the battery draw current to determine if I have a large short? Where to
put meter prongs?

Car's electricals has been very good, never had starting problems. I
suspect the starter is dead however with the radio going on and off I
suspect maybe a short somewhere too.

Where do I start? I'm ready to pick up a new starter but want to make sure
I don't have other problems. 

I guess I should focus on the starter first? Looking at Bently, starter
circuit is very simple. Big power wire on Starter motor, black/yellow wire
from ignition to starter selenoid.  If I measure 12+ volts going to the
selenoid when key is in the start position can I assume that starter is
dead?
  
Could the selenoid be shorted somehow and affect every other circuit?
specifically the radio circuit?

All responses will be very much appreciated.
Ray

=====
Raymond M.Wong
86 325es 137k miles Euro"i" head,Euro Manifold, JC Chip
87 535ia  160k miles Currently dead(auto trans in fail safe) :( fresh head w/new camshaft+ valve guides, JC chip, upper/lower control arms with 750 busings,boge gas turbos,new brakes)when i have time i'll swap in 5speed and revive it.
bmwcca.

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