Mitsubishi Repair: Dashboard burnout issues, dashboard lights, mitsubishi mirage

Question
I recently put my own stereo into my 1997 Mitsubishi Mirage (which was an incredible wire mis-colored, fuse-blown frustrating challenge). Early on in the operation, while cutting the wires I noticed that my dashboard lights (the second position on the dial when you go to turn your headlights on) went out and have yet to come back on. This immediatly comfused me because I can't imagine why the dashboard lights would be at all tied in with the stereo, and it is not the fuse, I checked and even replaced it. I DID accidently blow a couple other fuses in the entire ordeal, but the fuse that controls the dash never blew. Any ideas what could be going on? Is there any chance that all the bulbs simply blew? If so, how do I access them? I can't see my speed, gas, or battery gauge at all at night and its frustrating.

Answer
Troy: I got to say that Mitsubishi has done some really dumb things in the past so it could be some of those wires that you cut really shot power in for those dash lights. But you need to go to a parts store, buy yourself a repair manual for your car, try to buy a Haynes one as they have good diagrams of how the wiring is set up. But one more thing, have your checked those larger black boxes in with your engine. Some cars have three of those boxes, others two and still newer only one. But where should be one box on the driver's side of the car, up by the firewall in with the engine. Another one over by the battery and still maybe another box on the other side of the car. In those boxes are larger fuses and relays. You could have blew one of those when blowing smaller fuses. On the top of those boxes should explain what is in each box, what they control. If you do replace one of those relays, remember to always remove the neg cable off the battery and then replace it onces the new relay is in place. Also might need a flashlight to see if those relays are good or not, sometimes hard to see. Other wise you get that repair manual, might have to get a voltmeter and the repair manual would tell of the right readings. You might have to recheck your wiring job on that stereo to see you can find your problem. Still that repair manual would also explain how to get the front off the dash to see if those bulbs all burnt out too. I hope this helps and God bless: Linda