What should be the initial action if the alternator circuit breaker is checked during a negative ammeter indication?

When encountering a negative ammeter indication, the initial action should be to reset the alternator circuit breaker. A negative indication on the ammeter generally suggests that the electrical system may be drawing more current than the alternator is supplying, which could be due to an overloaded system or a fault in the alternator itself.

Resetting the circuit breaker is a standard troubleshooting step. If an overcurrent condition caused the breaker to trip, resetting it could restore normal alternator function, allowing the systems to operate correctly and potentially resolving the issue of the negative indication.

Other options, while they may seem reasonable in different situations, do not address the immediate need to determine if the circuit breaker has simply tripped and can be restored. Leaving the circuit breaker as is would not solve the issue and could lead to continued electrical failure. Switching off all systems might prevent the draw but does not directly assess or resolve the problem at hand with the alternator. Monitoring engine performance, on its own, is not proactive and does not help in addressing the electrical problem.