If they spark when you tie them together, you have a problem. disconnect the positive battery cable, then tie the two wires at amp gauge together, then use volt ohm meter to check for continuity from the positive battery cable and ground. should be no continuity, if there is, no not connect battery cable till you find the short. otherwise, connect the positive batt. cable and see if problem is resolved. If a hard spark, do not connect, check for short. the amp. gauge does not have a positive and a ground connection, voltage/ amperage goes thru the gauge, and reads the amperage across the two connections.
