No dash lights, radio power

[knarfrabot]

Long story short I was replacing my radio and everything was working, suddenly, while screwing the center console back in, the radio turned off and the dashboard lights ceased to work. Any ideas? I'm fairly certain its not a fuse, I've checked the fusebox and the fuse in the radio, I'm thinking something got undone. Any input would be appreciated, thanks!

[SteveJ]

You haven't provided enough information.

Your dash lights are out. Does that include your speedometer & tachometer? Are your running lights still working?

Did you or the PO use the stock radio wiring, or did you tap into a circuit? If it's the latter, how was the circuit hacked/tapped into?

If it's what I suspect, it will be tricky to diagnose because it's not stock. Take the center console out, along with the radio, and see if you can find a bad ground or other loose wire.

[knarfrabot]

hey thanks for the reply stevej, as for lights i have no headlights speedo tach tail lights running lights .

lights that do work include turn signals and hazards

stock radio wires were used by the po and myself

[SteveJ]

A possible common thread I can speculate on quickly would be fusible links. Especially, if one of them was corroded some, it's fault current could have been too low. Fusible links should always be checked with an ohmmeter and while out of the circuit. Also get back into your center console/dash and look for any possible bare wire or connector that could have come into contact with ground.

Another possibilty would be that you have a bad ground.

[Travel'n Man]

If you do not have a wiring diagram, and since we do not know what year your car is, here is an excellent starting point. Trust me - you'll need this sooner or later.

http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=240z+diagram&_sacat=See-All-Categories

[SteveJ]

The OP's profile says he has a 280Z. I just got tired of suggesting that people put their car info in their signatures.

[knarfrabot]

Hey thanks a lot for your input, guys, I got it working. Much appreciated,

Frank.

[SteveJ]

So what did you find wrong? Posting solutions help people when they search for answers.

[knarfrabot]

Sadly enough after disassembling the dashboard almost entirely and tracing all the headlight-associated wires, I simply replaced all the fuses, upon further inspection I noticed one was burned out. My mistake was ruling out the common cause offhand, taught me to always double check.

[SteveJ]

Actually, I can't believe I overlooked suggesting the simple, such as looking at the fuses. Still, it's not a bad idea to look for exposed wires that could have shorted to ground. I've lost a few fuses that way.