Honda Repair: Battery Light, honda accord lx, 1988 honda accord lx

Question
Two questions:
1.) I have a 1988 Honda Accord LX, and for the past 3 months or so the battery light has been flickering intermittenly (I bought a new battery only 4 months ago). I first checked the voltage across the battery w/ the car off - it read 13 (according to the manual - acceptable) then checked the voltage once the car was running - also ok. before when the light in the dash flickered the idle remained constant - lately when the light flickers there are small shudders in the rpm's - I'm thinking its the altenator, or the voltage regulator on it, is there any way of checking them? - or could it possibly be another part of the electrical system going bad?
2.) On another note my car seems to eat Ignition coils regularly; by that I mean the car, while driving, will hava a catastrophic electrial failure and every thing dies instantly (loads of fun when it happens while I'm on the freeway!) - any idea why that could be happening? -

please help!
Thanks-Corey

Answer
Corey,

You need to replace your alternator. Even though it reads 13 volts across the battery, your diodes can be bad. There is a way of checking the diodes and voltage regulator, but it is too difficult to explain here.
Do yourself a favor and replace the alternator. It will take care of your problems. I see this all the time.

Gene/Master ASE technician/Honda Platinum technician