73′ Duster Gas Gauge Stuck on Empty

I am having a difficult time finding the issue with my gas gauge. It primarily started being stuck beyond full when the key was in the on position, I checked sending unit which turned out fine and was looking at the back of the dash when I touched the voltage regulator(I believe it to be called that) and it sparked which led to the gauge not moving at all. Is the gauge bad or do I have a bad ground somewhere? And how would I check these things? Help please!