Glenn--using your meter on OHMS scale while the battery is still connected is a NO-NO! The only way you can go off scale on OHMS is that there is voltage in that circuit--and that has probably ruined the shunt resistors in your meter. Am assuming you're using an Analog meter. If it is analog, put it on Rx1 (or R) and grab a meter lead end in each hand. If you can budge the needle with the resistance thru your body then you've blown the shunts. If you can't move the needle then you've escaped this time. You shouldn't be able to tick the needle until about RX100 or Rx1000.
Go back and disconnect the NEG post of the battery and try your tracing again. Also--you'll want to separate the wires when there are more than one on a post to eliminate back circuits. With the battery connected--do all your checking on the 12 VOLT scale.
