new cd player, ac doesn't work.

As a surprise my lovely boyfriend installed a cd player in my 98 escort and as nice as it sounds, now i have to MANUALLY turn the thermostat (which hurts because the dials are pointy.) He swears that even if I had it professionally installed it would still be like that. I beg to differ and it is up to me to fix it myself. Any suggestions? I know a little about cars, but please don't lose me in car lingo! lol
Thanks!
also the rear defrost doesn't work. He's a genius.

I guess it's the thought that counts...
If wired correctly I can't imagine why anything else would have quit working.
I'd suggest removing it and reinstalling very slowly step by step, or having it professionally done.

Did the defroster quit as a result of this or is it a separate issue?

i have the same car.
you can't install a cd player without cutting the heater controls apart:banghead:

The control for the thermostat (cold-hot) is a cable running from the control down to the floor just to the right of the gas pedal. He may have cut or disconnected it in some way so that it doesn't work. Take a look at the connection just to the right of the gas pedal on the floor at the center console. It is a little round thing with a wire running into it. I think this is either broken or not hooked back up. To get the radio module out of the dash, this wire has to be disconnected at the floor. It's a quick fix by putting it back into the little round thing below the heater outlet on the left side.

you can install a radio without cutting apart ur control panel.. just find a aftermarket replacment pannel with the cd player slot... easly found on e bay

i have a 98 escort zx2 and i didnt have any troubles with the heater control cable when i installed my cd player

If it can't be done without cutting stuff up... that sounds like a good reason not to do it.
Maybe next time he'll get you a gift card :P

lol gift card nice.

not sure if this thread is still active but look at my radio how to guide I made and you'll see where your a/c problem is let me know if you have any questions