2000 Ranger Dash/Tail light issue

[Mikeraqhed]

I recently installed a stereo in this truck and now the dash panel lights and the tail lights do no work. I have looked around again and found that the Power Distribution Panel box under the hood had a blown fuse, 11 slot, 15a minifuse. Now the question I have is would there be a wire inside the dash that I could've shorted out that would've made this happen? If so, what color am I looking for? Any help would be greatly appreciated

 

[Herkypilot]

Did it happen right after the stereo install or was it a short time later? You may have caused the fuse to blow during installation if it were right after. Anyway - the fuse was doing it's job, I would replace the fuse with the same size and try the lights again. If it immediately blows again, then you can start looking for the short otherwise you may have just caused a surge when you were wiring up the stereo if you left the battery connected. Some of the stereo wires are hot even if the ignition is off. It keeps power to the clock built into the stereo.

Herkypilot

 

[bootleg]

I've got a similar problem on my 83 Ranger. Started intermittently, now it blows all the time (well, not all the time becuase I don't keep putting fuses in!) Anyway, I'm having frustrations trying to trace this thing. I've checked the main switch...seems okay. And I'm pretty certain I've narrowed the short (or bad ground) to the tail lights. Problem is, wehere does this part of the circuit ground out at? I disconnected the trailer lights, cleaned the connectors, and everything worked fine. So i thought maybe it was that...then I hit a bump (there's a clue) and the fuse blew again. I'm getting tired of driving at night with my hazzards on. Any help tracing this would be appreciated--if someone could start by pointing me to the ground, that would be great.

All other circuits seem fine, but the dash lights go out with the tailights.

thanx