[Stephen Rauch]

I replaced my alternator. The back of the alternator was close to the engine block so I got some very slight sporadic arching when the engine was running. I quickly turned off the engine and fixed the problem. I noticed now that the needle on my amp gauge now points straight down instead of straight up (reverse where it should be). The needle moves when the engine is running – it is just moving in the down position (again, reverse where it should be).

Question: Did I fry the amp gauge or something else (starter solenoid? Capacitor?) when the alternator was arching against the engine block?

By the way – took the car out for a drive – everything else seems to be working correctly.

Thanks!