1G Dash lights and radio confusion

[KyDSM]

I am having a problem with the dash lights. They wont come on using the steering wheel switch. As I was hooking up my radio I touched the radio's red wire with a black line on the metal inside the radio space. When I did that the dash lights cam on with out the key on or the switch being on. I used my volt meter to check the volts and I'm getting 12.5v with out the key being in at that red wire with a black line. Any I deals?

No ideals?

 

[2gnt99]

Have you checked fuses?

Where exactly did you test the volts at?

 

[KyDSM]

Fuses are fine. I checked all the radio wires for voltage because I was putting in my CD player. But when I hit the constant power wire to a ground the dash lights come on. I'm dreading searching for a shorted out wire.

 

[2gnt99]

Usually it's the dimmer switch that goes bad, try replacing that.

Also, always remove the ground wire from the battery when doing electrical work.

 

[KyDSM]

How would the dimmer switch be the cause? The constant power for the radio makes the dash lights come on when its grounded. I doubt its the dimmer switch.

 

[Zufelt]

While messing with your radio you didn't happen to mess with the most likely orange wire.. It will say alumination didja?

 

[KyDSM]

Yeah I think I might have.