Go to auto zone and have the alt checked out. The voltage reg may be hanging which will cause all kinds of problems.
Because the meter is connected backwards
the voltage regulator
either out of trans. oil , or tranmission is shot
To zero a VOM on DC voltage, leave it unconnected - in DC voltage mode - and then adjust the meter zero screw until it reads zero.
If the circuit is carrying current then that means that the load (resistance) is in the circuit. if an ohm meter is connected in the live circuit then there would be some voltage drop at the ohm meter but as the meter has very less resistance, this would damage the instrument.
you can't repair one you would have to buy a new one and put it on
With a voltage detector or a multi meter. Don't touch the wires to your tongue. That would be bad!
To calculate voltage drop to size the wire, a voltage must be stated.
A reading of 145 volts is high. The first thing that I would check is the accuracy of your meter. Check the voltage reading at different locations for example, friends homes, to see if the reading is still high there. If it is check your meter reading against another meter. If you are sure that your meter and reading is correct then call the utility company and get them to check the voltage for you.
One of the conditions that would cause this is that there is no supply voltage to the top of the meter. Another problem could be, the neutral tickler wire has become disconnected.
You can use either a volt meter and go from the line in question to ground and see if you have voltage. You can also get a non contact voltage tester which is what I would use and place it on the wire in question and it will beep if voltage is present.
Voltage can be measured using the difference between the potentiel between two ends of wire or by using a volt-meter. You can easily measure volt by volt or multimeter but remember voltage always measure across the components but in parallel