I recently aquired a 1986 Pontiac Trans Am, unfortunetly it didn't come with any audio equipment... so I opted to put in my own. However, in doing this, I've somehow managed to short out the dash lights and the transmission gear select lights, the rear tail lights (For when the headlights are on, they work when I brake), and effectivley knocked out the headlight motors (They don't go down now...) I found the fuse, but nothing I do seems to fix it, I tried replacing the fuse with a 20, *POP* then a 30 *POP* and thats where I Stoped. The headlight motor seems to work when I put the fuse in, but then if I shut the headlights off *POP* and there goes another fuse. I disconneted my stereo and all... and it still does it.... what could this be?? Anyone have any ideas as to where I could start looking?

Adam

 

Double check your grounds where you wired in the radio. Sounds like you may also have a hot wire grounding out somewhere.
I'm not sure where the cig lighter is in a bird, but check to make sure that nothing has fallen into it like a coin or something.

 

The original stereo was wired into the dimmer switch itself which may have something to do with your problem. I think it's an orange wire if I remember correctly. Did you happen to wire that into your new stereo?

 

I am having the same problem with my 89 Formula. My parking and tail lights don't work. But they come on when I hit the brakes, whether the car is running or not. My dash lights do the same thing. Does anyone know where the wires might intersect each other before I start ripping my car apart looking for it? Any help is much appreciated.

 

wiley, check the bulbs in the rear of the car. usually your problems occur when you put a single element bulb in a dual element socket (i.e. Brake lights).

 

My guess is that you conected your ground wire to the orange dimmer wire or some other stereo wire. I did the same thing on my first stereo. I alays run all new wires when I hook up a stereo. Make your own ground wire. I don't trust factory wires at all.