Honda Repair: Battery light, alternator brushes, screw driver

Question
I have a 1990 Accord EX. Shortly after starting the battery light will come on and come in and out intermittently with no other symptoms. Yesterday while driving all my gauges went dead and the radio shut off. Several seconds later everything came back and the battery light stayed off. Is this a voltage regulator issue?

Answer
Ron, the problem you describe may be the alternator. It is difficult to test since it is intermittent. If you are driving over bumpy roads this may cause the problem to go away as the brushes inside the alternator are worn and will intermittently make contact. To be sure one thing you may try is to have a long tool with you such as a screw driver and when the light comes on stop the car and leave it running and tap (fairly hard) on the alternator to see if it makes the light goes out. My guess is the alternator brushes are worn and I would not fool around with replacing them I would replace the alternator.
The voltage regulator is part of the alternator.
Good luck.
Bill