Generator idiot light
 

Well the generator idiot light earned its name in my car recently.
So, like an idiot, I forgot to disconnect the battery the other day as I had removed the steering wheel and turn signal switch to clean the contacts and lube the switch as it was very sticky. In doing so, I touched one of the contacts of the switch to the steering column making a little spark. Now, after putting it back together, my generator idiot light is staying on, and confirming with a voltage tester sure enough the battery isn’t being charged while the engine is running.

So my question is, would me grounding that switch have likely fried the voltage regulator, or is it more likely I damaged the actual alternator, and is there a way to test each to see. I have a Marchal 14v regulator and the car is a ‘70 911T.

The turn signal electrical circuits are not related to the alternator light, other than the warning globes share a common gauge mounting, so its probably co-incidence. Having said that the most expensive component will always expire to protect the least expensive component and stranger things have happened. I would be swapping out the Marchal regulator if I had easy access to a spare and or checking the slip ring brushes in the alternator. Good luck.