Battery drain and radio memory loss

3RDDEGREE

MEMBER
2000 FORD WINDSTAR
1,613,607 MILES

Hello, my name is McRoberts, my Ford van would drain battery. I have checked with an electrician over and again. They seem not to find the fault. And the radio would not hold memory. When car is off and start I will have to set the radio all over again. It is frustrating.
I would appreciate some help. Thanks

6 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,192 POSTS

HI and thanks for using 2CarPros.com.

If the battery drains over night, chances are you have what is know as a parasitic draw. What I need for you to do is read through this link. It describes what is happening as well as how to locate and repair the problem.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-dead-overnight

Additionally, here are directions related to using a test light, volt-meter, and how to check wiring:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-voltmeter

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

I hope this information is helpful. Let me know if you have other questions or need additional help.

Take care,
Joe

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Friday, August 3rd, 2018 AT 8:49 PM

3RDDEGREE

MEMBER
4 POSTS

Thanks for you reply, but you seem not to have answered my second question.
"And the radio would not hold memory. When car is off and start I will have to set the radio all over again." It is frustrating.
I would appreciate some help. Thanks

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Friday, August 3rd, 2018 AT 9:23 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,192 POSTS

Sorry about that. Either there is a power supply loss to the radio or the internal memory is bad. I have attached a picture or the plug in the rear of the radio. Note that pin 9 is to always be hot (always has power) even when the key is off. It is the power supply for the clock and internal memory. What you need to do is check that pin to confirm there is power to it.

Do that and let me know what you find.

Joe

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Friday, August 3rd, 2018 AT 9:42 PM

3RDDEGREE

MEMBER
4 POSTS

Thanks Joe, I will check that. But I have some other issue. When my key is not in the ignition and the driver door is opened I keep getting that beep to say my key is still in the ignition. Thanks

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Friday, August 3rd, 2018 AT 9:48 PM

3RDDEGREE

MEMBER
4 POSTS

I have detached the radio to locate the pins. But it is unfortunate that I cannot local the pins. Can you please attache a photo of where I can locate these pins? Thanks