Expert: Garry S. McLemore - 6/28/2010

Question
I have suffered a battery drain on a Ford Focus which I have finally resolved . on removing the radio I found that the aluminum side panel of the radio carcass was getting over hot.
on pulling the radio connections the battery drain was cured. My question is.
1. there are no obvious connections to the side panel and the amount of current draw by a radio is negligible < so how come the heat?On reconnecting connections  the side panel heated up in about 30 seconds
2. Is the fault likely to be in the radio thus requiring a replacement or in the wiring looms to the Radio .

Thanks in anticipation
peter French

Answer
from what you describe, i'd say it is a fault in the radio. i would consider finding your nearby auto junk yard and seek replacement. it has to be from same make, model and year for existing plugs to work. normally, it's much cheaper to replace, rather than repair. sorry nothing simple, hope you cand find one....