Son shorted radio wire, headlights OUT

[johnny botch]

Son attempted to upgrade radio. He spiced radio harness, then SPARK!

What doesn't work: headlights, power mirrors, power door locks, interior lights, remote key, power trunk.

What does work: turn signals, wipers, high beams power seats, heater. Basically everything else.
Oh, and the car runs like a champ.

Bought the Haynes repair manual, but I have to admit, after checking all the fuses, the diagrams are a bit of a mystery to me.

Searches all seem to dance around this combination of problems. If I can get this fixed, the state inspection will be a snap.

I'm not a mechanic, but if you can steer me in the right direction, I can get it done. Thanks, Johnny

[MagicRat]

Welcome to AF.

Probably the only thing blown is a fuse. Usually radios have separate power supply for the main radio power, memory back-up and if applicable, dashboard lights. Each should be fused separately.

But I bet its the memory back up fuse as the non functioning items are (mostly) operational without the ignition being on.

I would suggest check the owners manual's fuse listing. Hopefully it will show one fuse that controls the headlights, power mirrors, power door locks, interior lights, remote key, power trunk.

BTW sometimes fuses can be 'blown' but still look good. It's best to use an electrical tester to see if you have power to both sides of a fuse, when it is installed and the ignition is on.

[AWP9521]

I echo the above poster, you got a fuse blown somewhere.

Also, (sorry for sounding harsh but...) tell your son to not be so cheap and spend the extra money for a harness adapter kit designed for that car to wire into that new radio. They make harness adapter kits for virtually every car on the road, there is no reason to ever have to cut the factory wiring to install an aftermarket radio anymore. these kits make the wiring quick and easy and with the stereo manufacturers making the wiring colors standardized it's a matter of matching the radio's wire colors then plugging it into the factory harness conections and your good to go.