Burnt instrument panel on backside

WOW that's bad. Was there any symptoms leading up to this? Probably quickest thing you could do is pull the alt and have it tested if you suspect it. My guess is just an electrical malfunction on the PCB. The two black resistor looking components by the large connector look like diodes to me. It sort of looks like the large capacitor blew. Care to post more detailed photos of the burnt area from other angles? Is there more burnt components anywhere else on the PCB?