The car is a 1988 CRX HF with a 1998 D16Y8 (using RyWire OBD2 alternator adapter, OBD2 distributor adapters, VTEC/O2 subharness, and OBD0 to OBD1 ECU jumper for my chipped P28).

Purchased the car April 29, 2011. Swapped the transmission ('88 Si) September 2012. Swapped the engine December 30, 2012.

First had to replace the alternator February 2, 2012, and then again September 1, 2012. A lot of the wiring got checked over, and some repaired back in January 2013.

And now the other day I saw pulsing lights again.

So I'm lead to believe my internal voltage regulator is having issues, yet again.

How do I trace what is killing my voltage regulator?

 

The following grounds were checked on the car in January. Some of the areas were sanded down and reconnected afterward. These are all of the grounds on the '88 HF, as per the 1988 Electrical Troubleshooting Manual from Honda.

(Ground - Location - Photo Number in Manual - Associated items)

G1 - Right front of engine compartment - photo 7 - Transmission ground, battery ground, starting system, charging system

G2 - Left front of engine compartment, on radiator support - photo 4 - Engine ground

G151 - On right rear side of engine - photo 20 - PGM-FI

G201 - right front of engine compartment - photo 12 - Charging system, PGM-FI, wiper/washer, headlights, front side marker lights, turn signal & hazard lights

G301 - Left front corner of engine compartment - photo 4 - Brake warning system, wiper/washer, headlights, front side marker lights, front marker lights, turn signal & hazard lights

G401 - Behind left side of dash, near kick panel - photo 46 - PGM-FI, rear window defogger, ICU, brake warning system, seat belt & key on warning system, indicators, gauges, wiper/washer, headlights, front side marker lights, turn signal & hazard lights, cigarette lighter, dash & console lights, clock

G511 - center rear of rear compartment, behind panel - photo 69 - Seat belt & key on warning system, gauges, turn signal & hazard lights, tail & rear side marker & license plate lights, brake lights

G551 - On lower right of hatch - photo 68 - PGM-FI, tail & rear side marker & license plate lights, brake lights

G701 - Below left side of dash, near steering column - photo 38 - Dash & console lights, stereo sound system

G821 - On left rear of hatch, below glass - photo 65 - Rear window defogger

 

Just out of curiosity, are you using auto zone/advanced auto parts re-manufactured alternators? I've gone through 3 in one year before, not on a Honda though. After the third one, I ended up buying one from the ford dealership and I haven't had a problem since.

 

Yes, it is. The Honda OE one is $274.41 plus a $30 core (Honda only accepts OE cores).