I just completed installing a Hitachi AM/FM radio in place of the AM Hitachi in my 71 Z when suddenly as I was adjusting the fit of the unit the radio and dash lights all went out. I shorted something out, I guess the unit wasn't grounded properly, so I replaced the burned out 20 amp fuse. Now I don't have any dash lights, but everything else works, the radio, dome light, glovebox light, map light, fan switch, all the exterior lamps but no dash instruments lights. What could be the problem, my guess is I may have burned a wire that feeds all the instrument lights????

Thanks for any help or ideas you guys can give me.

I think it's another fuse in their check them all as I think the globes arn't connected to the one you changed from memory this happened to me also. Very annoying but you shouldn't have done anything but blown a couple of fuses that's what they are there for afterall.

:classic:

The Hitachi Radios Ground to the chassis via the radio chassis mounting bolts. There isn't a separate wire to ground the radio. If you used the RED / BLUE wire on the radio harness to connect to ground, then you've grounded the instrument and radio light circuit, which would cause it to blow.

2¢

Enrique