No reading on amp gauge

Hi folks. Thursday, arriving at my destination, I was retracting my tarp when I smelled something burning. When I retract or extend my tarp, my amp gauge always shows a discharge. Even though the gauge does not show a charge or discharge my tarp still works. The only thing that's not working is my AC compressor. It's fully charged. My volt meter works fine as does everything else. I followed the amp wires until they disappear behind the AC unit. Up until that point there is no damage to the wires. Can anyone tell me where they end up, and could the gauge have made that smell if it went bad? Thanks