if the hot wire from the battery touches the alternator could it cause it not to work? as i put the new alternator in I was putting the wire back on from the batter to the post on the back of the alternator.. I had disconnected the + on the battery terminal, but as i pulled the wire closer it pulled the + wire and touched the battery post and made a spark on the alternator...
...yes, im dumb...

 

It should still work unless there is some sort of fuse in line from the wire you shorted out to the alternator.I don't know why it would hurt the alternator, but I've seen stranger things happen?