Car Stereos: car stereo, aftermarket stereo, stereo unit

Question
QUESTION: i was taking out my aftermarket stereo unit to check for sub inputs on the back. i have put it back in and now i can't get the faceplate to go in right. when i get it to go in, it has no power. any suggestions?
Thanks in advance

ANSWER: Well, my first step would be to check the connection between the faceplate and the unit.  Are there any bent prongs or contacts?  If so, bend them back, and be careful to not bend them again.  If not, you may have to pull the stereo back out and check the plugs behind the stereo, and be sure they are still all hooked up tight.  I know that some aftermarket stereos have pretty poor designs for their removable faceplates, and they are very testy.  If nothing else is found, it may be just trying different ways to attach the faceplate.  Try not to force anything.  Hope this helps, Scott

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: this is exactly what happened. i took the faceplate off and found 6 tiny screws behind where the faceplate would normally go. i took them out and when i put them back in, 2 of them fell into the deck that i can't get out. could those screws be the problem? when i do get the faceplate back on, it is very loose and slides from side to side about half of an inch. i can't try what you said right now, but if what is in this message makes you think that there is a different problem, let me know.
thanks a million.

Answer
Oh yeah, that is a big problem.  Those tiny screws that were behind the faceplate are holding the radio together and inside parts in certain positions.  Removing them has caused the inside stuff to become loose and move around.  I would say, definitely, you are going to have to remove the radio completely from the car.  Then, if you can tell how the different panels were attached, try and take it apart, and try to find the lost screws.  The lost screws will need to be replaced, but also the inside panels will need to be in properly when reinstalling the screws.  If the construction appears too overwhelming, a good radio repair shop should fix it for a minimal $30-$40 fee.  For future reference, there should never be any screws going directly into the radio that should ever need to be removed.  Sorry for the bad news.