Problem #1: Cigarette lighter only works when the headlights are off. Its not the instrument cluster circuit board, because I just changed that. Any other ideas?

Problem#2 (main problem): Today when I was trying to install my volt meter light, I eventually gave up for today deciding I didn't have to proper connections and decided it was best to wait until I get them to continue. I had 2 hot wires - a +12 and a ground. I taped up the +12 with electrical tape so it wouldn't touch anything and fry my electronics. I decided the ground wouldn't do any damage, so I left it untaped. This couldn't do anything, right? Wrong. Immiediatley, it touched something inside the dash and my radio and volt meter cut out. I checked the volt meter by wiring it directly to my battery, it still works. I looked inside my radio to see if the fuse was still good - looked good. I checked my fuse box to see if all the fuses are still good - looked good. My volt meter is getting its power from the brown power wire inside the center console. The radio is getting power...from the red radio wire? Are these the same power wire? Did I burn out the fuse? Where is the fuse? Anyone have any ideas? I'm stumped on this one...

 

They arent the "same" power wire (they each take a separage route) but they are both 12v from the battery (if that makes any sense). Measure the voltage at the cigarette lighter with the lights off and then with the lights on. This may give you an idea what is happening

 

Assuming this is a 240, make sure the fuses are ok. If there is any corrosion on them, I reccomend cleaning all the contacts and replacing all the fuses, including the engine fuse and holder in the engine compartment, near the battery, if it has one.

Other than that, a wiring diagram is very useful with this type of problem.

Good Luck

B