Most Bizarre wiring issue

[Broeheem]

Two weeks ago, I installed a simple head unit and a pair of Boston front speakers (1989 Ranger 2.3). easy install and it sounded great. Last week, the right speaker started buzzing at higher volume, and the general sound felt weaker and not nearly as good as it did before.

Now for the bizzare: Yesterday, I attempted to accomplish two things - both which SHOULD have been very simple. I tried to plug my GPS into the lighter socket. No power. A quick glance at the 21-year-old socket led me to decide that it likely was bad, so I replaced it, and when I turned on the ignition... POP. No power.

Referring to the Ford manual, it shows that the lighter (and the flash-to-pass) are not on a fuse, but a 20-amp breaker. Fine, I'll reset. No. The breaker IS NOT THERE. Manual is clear as to the location, but it's just plain not there. I'm baffled.

Second issue: I installed a new steering wheel, and took it for a test cruise. With the stereo on, I tested the horn button to make sure I'd achieved solid connections, and when I pressed it, the sound disappeared from the radio. The head unit was STILL POWERED, but no sound from any source. Turned it off then back on..... plays again (still sounds like crap). Hit the horn again... same thing. Now I'm really frustrated. How are the radio and the horn even remotely related? What the hell's wrong with the sound in my once-well-performing stereo, and where the hell is that lighter circuit breaker?

 

[strvger]

i'd check to make sure everything in the fuse box is correct.... right size fuses in the correct location. then i'd start looking for a 'fusible link' that has done it's job and needs to be replaced. double check all your grounds to make sure nothing is shorting out.
i replaced the steering column in my truck. few days later i stopped on the highway and it would not restart. found a loose connection and short in the column wiring. just a thought.

oh, and welcome to TRS!!

 

[gwaii]

sounds like the cab-to-block ground.the cab is powered through all those wires going everywhere,but they all need to get the power back to ground.this is accomplised through one wire from the wiper motor to the block.check to see if that's all still good,or to test it just run a jumper from the neg terminal on the battery to the cab and see if the problem stops.