Ammeter pegged...

....if the issue arises again, you may want to check/replace the actual PLUG for the VR. I had the connections go bad/break inside the rubber of the plug once...and all seems normal, from the outside.
It may have temporarily "fixed" itself since you have been handling the plug (bad connection inside plug making temporary contact until wiggling lose again)
Seems like you have it fixed, but food for thought at something to look at, if it suddenly arises again.