Radio help?

[Josh Haldeman <haldeman@xxxx>]

Dear List,
I have a question regarding the original ASI radio on my Dad's car.
The other night I was replacing a newer, but crappier (believe it or
not) Sony radio with the original one. The installer of the Sony radio
did a good job with the wiring, as I was able to disconnect the
individual wire plugs and reconnect them to the original radio's wires
without any trouble.
I turned on the ignition to test the radio and the clock came on,
but I didn't have a chance to test the radio itself. I laid the radio
down on the bare console and a spark jumped from the back of the radio
to one of the connectors for the cigar lighter and everything on the
radio and the AC panel lamps went out.
I figured that I blew a fuse, so I checked the box but all the fuses

were good. I also checked the in-line fuse on the 12 volt power
connector (solid red wire) and it was okay.
I hooked up my voltmeter to the vehicle 12 volt line and the vehicle

ground and got absolutely no reading with the car's ignition in any
position. I have also now replaced the AC panel lamp relay to no
avail. Everything besides the AC Panel lamps and the radio work, so I
can't figure out what I did. Can anyone help?
Thanks in advance,
Josh
VIN 5102
VIN 15964 (working doors, but no radio)