Installed Stereo, Climate Control Broken 86 Z31
 

So hopefully I'm wrong, but I believe I may have really screwed up the CC unit and clock in my 86 Z31 by installing a JVC head unit. Since the stock radio wasn't being used, I just cut the leads to the connectors of the original wiring harness EXCEPT I couldn't find the always hot wire so for the first start-up of the stereo, I cut into the ACC wire. (It was fun reprogramming my settings every time I started up my car). The only thing connected to any part of the CC/clock was the ground. (previous owner cut ground too short for use on original stereo harness) I now have a wire that runs straight from the terminal to the head unit for the always-on 12V.

TLDR: The only thing that's connected to the CC/clock unit is the ground wire.

So now, the CC unit is completely unresponsive. No digital lights, no buttons, nothing. However, the trim lights around it come on. Same for the clock. I wonder if I may have blown a fuse (checked a few, they seemed alright) or if it's just that I had total downs and ruined my climate control. One final note: Manual defrost still works. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

happens a lot when people who don't understand basic electricity and obviously don't have a vom start cutting random wires with no idea what they are doing

ya
 

Brutally honest. ya, you can pick up a cheap multimeter at harbor freight, that will help trace down the problem. replacement harnesses can be found, a lot of guys parting these cars, so if is to big of a mess, locate a replacement harness.

Except I didn't cut random wires. I used my multimeter (which is how I found the ACC and ILL lines). And to my credit I do understand basic electricity. It would be helpful to know... Are the trim lights on a seperate circuit than the CC unit and clock?

Also, roger, thanks for the super helpful post. Appreciate your input.

download the fsm from xenon. take the electrical schematics on a thumb drive to kinko's and blow them up to 11x17. makes it a lot easier to read. expensive tho cost maybe $2. If you do indeed understand basic electricity it is relatively easy to find the wires you need.