[CJ428CJ]

An ammeter should generally read "0" or very close to it as long as the RPM's are up around 2000 or more. If the car is running above 2000 RPMs and you turn your headlights and cooling fan on, the gauge should still read 0. If it's reading a discharge (negative value) of 10 or 20 or 30 amps or so, then your charging system is not working. The only time it should read a significantly positive value is if your battery is drained or partially drained and the charging system is trying to recharge it. If your battery is fully charged and the gauge is still reading a significantly positive value, there's likely something wrong with the voltage regulator.

Chris