I installed an alpine stereo in my 96 850 a few months ago (with iPod capability, very nice stereo), which had been working perfectly until about a week ago, when it just stopped working. No power, no sound, nothing.

I checked fuse 32, which was blown, so I replaced it. Turned the key, then turned it off again, and checked the fuse - blown again. I've removed the stereo and wiring harness, so just the stop cables are hanging out of the car... replaced fuse, turned on car, turned off, and the fuse was blown again.

I then replaced the leftmost "J" relay under the fuse cover - same thing, upon replacing the fuse and turning the car, on, it blew again. The stereo / wiring harness is still out of the car. When that relay was out of the car, with nothing in it's place, fuse 32 did not blow when the car was turned on.

As far as I can tell, everything else works in the car, no other electrical issues, and no warning lights on the dash.

Anyone have any ideas? I have a haynes manual with the wiring diagrams, but I'm not sure where I should start...

-- Andrew