First, let me say that it was my own stupid **** fault for cutting a ground and a positive at the same time with the same wire cutters.

Here's the problem. I cut the positive and negative wires to the cigarette lighter with the same cutter, and they grounded out. At the time, I had the ignition in the ACC position (opposite direction from start/run) with the radio on. When I stupidly cut the wires, the radio went dead, and the dome light went out. I checked my fuses, and they are all good, but when I checked them with a voltmeter, some of them are not getting power.

Everything else on the car seems to work. Exterior lights, ignition, altenator, AC blower and compressor, gauges, and gauge lights are all good.

The power loss seems to be limited to the center consoleand dome lights.

BTW, the car is an '85 TA, but the only electronics on the motor are the distributor (vac advance) and the temp, knock, and water sensors. Everything else is tied up and loomed out of the way, so I have no way of knowing if things like the mixture control valve or electronic advance are working.

Could I have a blown ECM?

Thanks for your input.

 

Update

I was testing wires to find voltage, when the radio fuse blew. Curious, I replaced the fuse and put the original radio back in. It turned on. So it may not be a wiring problem after all, just a blown component problem. So much for my brand new, $250 radio.

Will replace dimmer and door switches to see if that's the problem.

If I have all this extra crap lying around, does that mean I have too much stuff?

-Corrupted

 

Also, my horn does not work

 

Problem solved.

A loose connection on the back of the fuse panel acted like a fusable link and blew off.

Moderators: please feel free to delete this post, unless you feel it is relevant, or may assist someone else, as I was basically talking to myself.