Yee-haw... got -er done.
Sure enough, blown fuse #41, had to dig that out from under the wires but that was the main culprit, along with a few unconnected wires.
Now the sound only comes out when the fader is full front or full back (sound comes out 50/50 when the fader is at either limit, and no sound when in the middle, kind of like a symmetric volume knob) but that problem can wait. Got to listen to a little milestones to break it in... wonderful sound from the CD43.
Thanks guys for your help!!
Robin
72 Chevy K10
01 E39 M5