# Electrical short

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/electrical-short/18111>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [August 13, 2008, 2:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/electrical-short/18111 "2008-08-13T14:15:40Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![dan\_pro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3e96dc/32.png) [@dan\_pro](https://community.cartalk.com/u/dan_pro)\
**Post date:** [August 13, 2008, 2:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/electrical-short/18111/1 "2008-08-13T14:15:40Z")

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something is draining the battery on my 1993 Escort. I think I isolated it to the circuit with the radio memory and powertrain control module(PCM). Where is the pcm and how do I check it for a short?  
  
 Thanks

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**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\
**Post date:** [August 13, 2008, 2:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/electrical-short/18111/2 "2008-08-13T14:45:39Z")

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If it was a short it would be blowing the fuse.

It’s not a short…just something is drawing a lot of power. Doubtful the radio memory circuit can draw that much current to effect the radio. Not sure about the PCM though.

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**Author:** ![hellokit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6a8cbe/32.png) [@hellokit](https://community.cartalk.com/u/hellokit)\
**Post date:** [August 13, 2008, 3:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/electrical-short/18111/3 "2008-08-13T15:16:23Z")

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I fear that your test methods would damage the pcm. It’s time to turn it over to the repair shop, since it’s evident that you need data (a repair manual and wiring diagram) and skills which you don’t have. Reality is.