2012-2018 Ford Focus radio repair of loud static noise

If your Focus has developed a loud "shorting...

iFixit Library 2012-2018 Ford Focus Moderate No estimate Guide 211268

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Guide overview

Before you begin

If your Focus has developed a loud "shorting out" sound intermittently, that can also blank out the display, one possible cause is the heat sink compound under the power chips drying out, causing it to overheat. Replacing the compound is cheap and will cost you a few hours of time.

Step 1

remove the radio.

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Another guide explains how to get the radio out of the dash. You have to take off the trim around the radio and shifter, and remove screws with a torx bit.

Step 2

take off the covers and drop the circuit board

No step image supplied by iFixit.

Take the covers off the radio. Remove the two screws that secure the two power chips to the chassis, and slide the circuit board down to reveal the heat sink compound.
Clean the compound off the chips and the chassis with a solvent such as alcohol and a rag. Clean off the circuit board with a small, stiff brush and alcohol to remove contaminants that could be shorting out the board.

Step 3

Repair step

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Apply heat sink compound such as used for computer chips in a thin layer. Install the chips in the chassis with the screws and clamps. Replace the covers, then the radio back in the car. There are two flat plugs, and a small antenna connector.