YotasRus

4wd 97 4runner sr5, I noticed my dash lights weren't working so I took apart all the panels nececary to see what was up. I noticed that the radio wires were just a mess of connectors. When I reconnected the dash lights and was putting the panel back on I pushed 2 wires together and it sparked. I didn't really think much of it, but when I got everything back together I turn the key and the dash lights work but now the radio doesn't even turn on. A week goes by with no radio but one day I turn the key and if works fine and it even worked for 3 more rides. But now it's back to no power at all?? Any suggestions/advice to what the problem could be? I'm a noob when it comes to wiring.

RSR

Well, you shorted something out. Could be a fuse or relay on your rig. Could be you burnt up an electronics board inside your radio (it might have an internal fuse or fusible link too that can be replaced).

Gamefreakgc

Yeah, if it were a fuse you blew at that point, it would have not worked again until you replaced the fuse. If you shorted the radio itself... you might be out of luck.

Before you scrap it though, double check that a wire is not grounding or is loose. Sounds like whoever did the wiring before did an awful job and let live wires just be uncovered, floating behind your dash!