I have been battling a battery drain for some time now. I think I have narrowed it down to the radio. I hooked up a test light between my negative terminal and cable. The light would stay lit indicating a draw. When I unplugged the set of wires on the radio show in pic 2 (multi colored wires, black plug) the light went out. It stayed off with the other 2 plugs still in the radio.
Is the wiring in pic #1 correct? How do I know if my problem is with the radio or with the radio wiring?
Please keep in mind when responding, I am not the sharpest knife in the drawer when it comes to electronics. I do have a multi meter but dont have a clue how to use it. In other words, please be very descriptive with answers. Please respond!

This is my multi meter https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/atta...ats-next-step-, if you can tell me where to plug the leads in and what to set the dial to for any test I really appreciate it!

 

the yellow is almost always the +12v constant for the memory of the radio, it does not draw enough power to kill a battery, and the red +12v is an ignition 12v source, only used on accessory or when the key is on. If they are reversed, this could be why your power is drawing, im not sure if these radios have a REQUIREMENT to have the memory plugged in.

 

Does your radio shut off when there is no key in the ignition?

 

Yes the radio shuts off when there is no key in the ignition.

 

i would think the easest way to test it out would eater remove the fuse or the radio for a little while if you can live without tuns if you don't have dead batories any more problem solved

do you have any amplifiers in the car?
and how fast dose the batory drain a few days weeks hours?

 

I took the radio out and the battery did not die. It usually does in a day or so. I just dont know if the problem is with the radio itself or the wires that connect to the radio. I dont know how to figure it out. I wanna keep the car stock and if the problem is the radio I will replace it with a factory radio. I do not have any amplifiers in the car.
I looked closely at all the wiring and nothing appears spliced. I am thinking it is the radio itself that went bad because the problem just started happening outta no where. Prior to the battery problem I did not do any work on the radio or wires.

 

Sounds like you just answered your own question. I'd say there's something internal in the head unit that is your problem.