Radio and AIr Temp Control gauges both malfunction

I just picked up a clean good running taurus as a little work car. The day I picked ut up the AC and radio seemed to work fine. The following day after driving around the radio buttons were unresponsive and the defrost vents started to blow hot air. During this happening the Air Control buttons were not doing anything, I would press the fan buttons down but the heat wouldn't stop. After a second evening passed I returned in the vehicle started it and everything ran fine for about 5 mins and it did it all over again. I tried to run the self test for the EATC but that wouldn't even run. Seem like maybe a short somewhere but don't know where and it seems like whatever is shorting out the radio is doing the same to the air temp controls. I have done tons of my own car work so I am not worried about diving in. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated since I bought the car for 2400 dollars and I don't want to put another 7-900 in it at a dealership. Thanks