WAH! I need help (what's new)

[Heather & Bryan <bryheath@domain.elided>]

Hi guys-
GOOD NEWS: Well, we went to our only friend who has a house's house
Saturday and took the top off and set it on a couple of barrels.  First
time with the top off and I LIKE IT!  I have never owned a convertible
before.
BAD NEWS: On the freeway home it started backfiring.  We knew we had a
little exhaust leak before.  Never had a car backfire on me so my
expertise on this area is NIL.  I need you mechanics to explain it to
me.  Not only that, we changed some light bulbs and the flasher cuz the
turn signals stopped working and the front marker lights (under
headlights) come on when we put the brakes on.  So I did that and
NOTHING.  Then we had added some fluid to the radiator, so we were gonna
start that bad boy up and he wouldn't!  EEEEK!  When we bought it the
starter died and the guy replaced it and drove it down here for us.  I
don't believe it is the starter.  I am gonna go get a multimeter today
and try to figure out what's wrong.  Like I said before, I am
mechanically minded, but never took a class or anything, but am smart
enough to learn from experience and follow directions. Also, have only a
carport and a toolbox amount of tools.  I still have not ordered a book
(from SSS I think for $50 is the one that I would like to have) so I
have NO reference points here.  I need to fix the electrical problem
soon, but not right now.  I am sure that some wires are just rubbing
together or one came undone. So, any suggestions from pros?
BTW, does the padded part of the dash come off to reveal the wiring
easily and then I don't have to do anything with the vertical part of
the dash?
Thanks in advance.
Heather & Bryan