Audio Systems: Mazda MPV radio problem, gibberish characters, mazda mpv

Question
The Radio in our Mazda MPV (1997)suddenly went out while driving on the highway this morning but replaced by loud RF static (as if not tuned to any station). The clock was frozen but the radio could not be turned off and volume control did not work either. I had to drive under that noisy condition for about 20 min. until I reached home. I turned the engine off and restarted. Once again no on/off or volume control. The LCD display was full of gibberish characters. My concern is that even after the engine is turned off and key removed, the LCD display is lit (blank though). Isn't this going to drain the battery however small it might be? Not one fuse is labeled radio to stereo so I can disconnect it from the main circuit! Now if I drive the van, it has to be with the staticky radio noise though it is not that loud.

Answer
your radio is shot. no doubt about it. your very best option is to start calling junkyards and find an exact replacement. you should remove the stereo first, though, there are some model-specific numbers that are needed to make sure wiring is the same as yours.