I recently picked up an 82 Fireird, and it will be my first project. My problem is this:
See where in the fuse box there are places for wires labeled ignition, battery, and radio. Well arent there supposed to be wires plugged in there? Because when i try to jump the battery, nothing at all on the car receives power. And the previous owner had a thing for messing with wires.

 

The4 factory gave us empty single slots for accessories - any standard 1/4in male spade connector will plug right in. The only places fuses are required is where there are 2 empty slots side by side (since a fuse has two prongs on it).

BAT is power always, regardless of key - nice for alarm power, electric seat power
IGN is power only when key is on, nice for additional lighting, etc.
RADIO is power when radio is on, nice for external CD decks, etc.

Some cars also have LPS - that's power when the lights are on.

 

But what if you hook up your battery and all your lights come on, interior and exterior......and the switches are all off .........my problem hahaha

 

Power to the light switch (both interior and exterior) comes directly from the battery to the switch bypassing the ignition. This allows the external and/or internal lights to be turned on and off without needing to turn on the ignition with the car key. If your lights come on whenever you connect the battery and stay on even when you turn the light switch off, then the problem is probably your light switch. Try replacing that switch and it should fix your problem.