Audio Systems: Car stereo wont work, dodge neon, interior light

Question
So are you saying that the wires were shorted when they touched the screwdriver? If so, do I just have to replace the one set of wires and the radio will work? Or is this something that I should just leave alone and take to a real mechanic? But I really prefer to do it myself to save money, I am in college and need all I can get. Thanks again!! Jeff

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Followup To
Question -
Tom, I took the radio out of a 1999 Dodge Neon to test it in another car whose stereo was not working to see if it was the wiring or the radio that was bad in the other car. The radio from the neon would not fit into the other car anyway..so.. When I put the radio back into the neon, it would not work. When I turn the power knob on, I can hear the speakers come on and the lights that light up the radio come on but there is no clock display on the face of the radio and there is no sound from the speakers. Also when I turn on the power for the radio, the interior light comes on with it. I have checked the fuses and they all look ok. When I was taking the radio out the first time, the person helping me touched a screwdriver to the prongs on one of the sets of wires that run into the back of the radio and it sparked, so I don't know if that is what is wrong or what. I'm pretty sure the sets of wires that go into the back of the radio are in all the way so I dont think that they are loose. Do you have any idea what the problem is? I greatly appreciate any help you can give me!
Answer -
Jeff,
It's possible that when the connections were shorted, it may have damaged the dimmer module in the dash of your vehicle? Use a 12 volt test lamp and with the key turned on, look for two 12 volt power sources to the stereo connector. It's also possible that your stereo may be an anti-theft stereo that requires you to enter an access code in order for the stereo to turn on? You may want to purchase a repair book for your vehicle, this book will show you the wiring of the vehicle and also give you troubleshooting info.

TOM,
T&D ELECTRONICS
tdeser@zoominternet.net

Answer
Jeff,
You may want to stop by your local Neon dealer and ask for print out of the stereo connector in the wiring harness. With the drawing it will help you locate what wires should have voltage on them with the key on and the head lights on. When you mentioned that the interior lamp came on when you turned the stereo on, it tells me that either a wire is crossed/shorted or perhaps the dimmer module was shorted out?

TOM,
T&D ELECTRONICS
tdeser@zoominternet.net