But the current supplied by your power supply didn't kill your 7809, there should be a short in your circuit.

Definately agree with this. The battery in your car is capable of supplying - at a minimum - hundreds of amperes. But the empeg - and any other circuit - only draws as much as it needs.

Check carefully for short circuits between the output leg of the 9V regulator and ground (including anywhere along the copper track that the output leg is attached to. Also check that you stll have continuity between all points of the inbound track (the +12). Check the same for the ground track(s), as well as the the track connected to the 9V output - quite easy to burn off a track when you have a short...

/Michael