1998 Ford Escort

Regarding your dash lights, I think you cut one of the wire that gives power to your dash lights when you connected your CD player. Also, I have a 97 4DR Escort in which there is knob on the lower left side of the dashboard (with a picture like a small clock). If your park light switch is on, this knob is like a dimmer switch which brightens or turns off your dashboard /speedometer/ heater/aircon knob lights. If you turn the dimmer switch knob and still no lights, remove the knob housing and use a voltmeter to check if there is power from the wire.