Electrical Issue

[99164]

I replaced the instrument cluster bulbs that were out and put everything back together only to find that I had no working gauges. I took it apart again thinking maybe I forgot to plug a harness back in, and they were all connected. I see no wires frayed, and electrical issues are NOT my specialty. I saw someone with a speedometer issue write up that seemed very dealer talk with specialty tools (beyond a multimeter). I checked fuse 11, it was blown so I replaced it, turned the ignition on and it instantly blew. So I'm assuming a short, but everything is wrapped with plastic loom and electrical tape. Where to start in ordinary terms. I noticed that the dimmer dial makes sizzle/zapping noises behind the dash to the right of the instrument cluster. Made the GEM box (?) to the left of the radio? Although the dimmer was not hooked up the one time I tried it and it still blew a fuse. Ideas where to start? Gear it toward electrical issues for dummies.

Thanks

 

[1992fordgreen]

Wires crossing would be my guess.