Panel lights don’t work, 96 Villager

I installed a Pioneer cd player (DEH-P3700MP) into my 96 Mercury Villager.  The previous owner cut the wire off the harness so I had a friend who is an electrician help me put the new cd player into the van. He had to figure out what every wire was for.  After he finished the cd player worked okay but after I got into it that night I noticed the panel lights don't work. I couldn't see how fast I was driving or how much gas was in the van. The idiot lights were the only thing that did light up.  How can I fix this problem? Which wire controls the panel lights?  I don't have an amplifier.  Also I saw a wire marked "Mute" and another was "ILL" and I want to know what they are for.  Thanks!

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If you want something done right, you got to do it yourself.

It's a pretty common mistake to connect a ground wire to a dimmer wire (which tests as a ground with the lights off), which blows a fuse and then you have no more dash lights.  Have your friend ground the cd player directly (black wire on the Pioneer to metal behind the dash).  Then look for a blown fuse and replace it.  Check for proper operation of the lights (hopefully everything will still work).

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My ex once told me I have a perfect face for radio.

Thanks a lot!  It was a blown fuse and he somehow had 2 wires attached to the ground wire.  He wasn't available to help me fix it but with your reply I did it myself.  Its hard being a single mom and I have to rely on help.  But thanks again.

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If you want something done right, you got to do it yourself.