Lights gone haywire

[maria24017]

So my CD player came from a yard sale almost 2 years ago. It is generic and has had the occasional problem. For a while now when I start the car the radio cuts on, even if it was off or muted before. My sister went to take her drivers test so we unplugged the radio so that it wouldn't interfere. It had been unplugged since Thursday. Yesterday I was working late an hour from home and plugged the radio back in to keep me awake.. Something back there shorted and the dash and heat/ac lights went out. I replaced the fuse and it quickly blew again. I left it alone because I have not has the time to look at it. We went to Walmart a little bit ago, when we got home I cut the car off and the park lights and tail lights stayed on. I turned the knobs and everything with no response. We pulled out the fuse for the instrument panel and it didn't make a difference. The. We pulled the fuse under the hood labeled "light switch". That caused the lights to cut off but as soon as you plug it back in they are back on. I pulled the radio out and unplugged everything. I ended up just unhooking the battery. Any ideas on possible fixes?
This is a frustrating situation. It seems like every time I try to fix something another totally different thing needs work.

Jus need to resolve it because this is my only mode of transportation
Thanks

[Someperson]

Sounds like you may have a power wire shorting on the body... Ahh electrical gremlins...

[cj91legss]

check the parking light switch on top of the steering column?

[Legacy777]

check the parking light switch on top of the steering column?

I'll second this regarding the parking lights.


Regarding the radio, yeah it sounds like something is shorting out, so you'll need to pull the radio to look at the wiring.

[maria24017]

Well duh! Gosh I feel stupid.. I was born blonde but grew out of it 18 odd years ago, guess it doesn't matter.
My brother set his iPhone on the dash so as to light up the speedometer, he apparently hit the park light button in the process. I never use the park lights and I forgot the button was even there.

I pulled the radio out and I can tell that part of the harness had shorted. Guess I will be buying another

[cj91legss]

I personally think the parking light switch is worthless.

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[Someperson]

^ seconded

[PhyrraM]

Hmmm......They call them is parking lights. Yet, if you actually use the main headlight switch to turn them on - and then you actually park the car and remove the key they go out. So, I see a perfectly good use for the parking light switch - to use the lights as they are named!

[Legacy777]

I think the switch is there to meet certain regulatory or safety requirements. Plus, if you need to have the parking lights on and the car isn't running, this is the only way without having the key in the ON position.