Ammeter pegged...

toolmanmike said

That wiring is nasty and that's only what you can see.

Click to expand...

Yep. Who knows whats melted and shorting to what within the harness, under tape. Some models have a white engine harness connector near firewall, right valve cover, blower motor area. It could be melted and shorting also. In fact it could have been the original fault.
Come and go short circuits are possible where temperature changes, vibration, and distorting plastics are present.