The VR still seems to be grounded OK, and I just bought it about 5 years ago, so I fooled around with the wires where they go into the bulkhead connector.

Thought I had it at first, because I started it up and the needle stayed between +10 and +20.

Then I poked around some more and closed the hood, started it up again, and the needle was pegging again.

Guess I'll go out and buy another VR and see what happens.....

Oh - also, I'll hook my battery charger and test the voltage/percentage level just in case that could be it, but I think the battery is good.