electrical gremlin

[sethyrish]

Hi,
I love my 2003 s40t but fear there is an electrical fault possibly behind dash that isn't worth fixing.
These are some of the problems:
1/ Indicator relay stopped working and was heating up. The auto electrician installed a two-pin relay instead of three as a workaround.
2/ Air vent controller motor broke a cog tooth. I cut a hole behind the glove box and removed the motor so can no longer direct airflow.
3/ Positive battery wire is getting too hot to touch. I've Checked alternator voltages and they seem correct.
Car off 12.7v.
Engine running 14v.
The negative wire is all good with a voltage drop between the alternator and battery 0.03v. I haven't managed to find positive on the alternator yet. Not much room and I suspect it has a plastic cap on it.
4/ The battery has drained on two occasions. It seems random. The battery is less than a year old.

I don't want to end cars life but it's financially it's not worth fixing unless I can manage myself.
Any advice on these gremlins?

Cheers

[alschnertz]

Re: #3; Is the positive cable getting hot when the car is running or is it hot after sitting before you start it?

A bad diode in the alternator can cause the battery to drain overnight.
Check if the battery and/or cables are warm after the car sits (key off) for a few hours.
Even with a bad diode, the alternator can put out the voltages you measured.