[snowball]

So I use a DMM and set it to continuity. I touch the 2 connectors and it beeps. I connect either one to the ground post and it beeps.

I could be mistaken but that would show it's ground.

The reference voltage could be low enough that it does not trip a fuse.

Also, I did notice that if I pull on the wire loom then my problem goes away. my guess is the wires go from the alternator to the loom through the firewall, where the grommet has worn down and is shorting the wires to the body.

Would anyone know where the wires go through the firewall? Do I need to pull the whole dash or is there an access point?

I'll just take a vacuum hose and split it as a makeshift grommet.

Also, when you say a sniffer, what tool are you referring to? brand name?