Reviving an old HF, TO-83196

[Jim.ME]

To correct my big wiring mistake, my son rewired the ammeter in line and between the battery terminal on the voltage regulator and the hot post of the starter switch that has the hot battery cable on it as well. A spark was still produced with the ignition in the off position so he looked at the insulating material around the ammeter posts and found them degraded. So he coated them in permatex and it solved the short. Now the ammeter shows it is charging. He thinks the short had been there a while. Thanks to the wiring diagram Alex sent he was able to trace the short. It runs better than it has in a decade!

Sounds good, the problem was found. Now I suggest you replace that ammeter before it shorts out again.