If the harness area on the radio was a mess, what does the fuse box look like underneath? Did they tap into anything there?

 

Ed,

don't make the same mistake I made and have any doors open when doing Battery checks.
The power window relay is activated, as well as the interior lights, and that relay is low-ish impedance so if you are not using a quality meter that may show as a short.
What actual readings are you getting on your meter when you measure between the battery cables ? Hopefully you are not using an analogue meter

 

Hi Bret
Well here is a picture of the scary mess In Truth this picture doesn't even do justice, the mess that is actually there. I am cleaning it up as I am writing this!
What fuse box .. ? The main box in the bulkhead I pulled all the fuses all checked out These monkeys used the lowest end inline fuses

Hi Mike well My friend Tom is coming over with a digital one today .. Yes mine is analog I' m old school
Thanks Guys