So it's not related to the original intent of the thread (alternators) but I found this thread looking for a fix to my problem because 1sexyXfire described the EXACT problem I was having. It got worse today (died for a few minutes on the freeway) and after some searching, I found the problem.

My fix - it was the RCM (search for RCM fix) - pulled it, saw the exact solder traces in horrible condition, and resoldered. She's purring like the day I got her, and hopefully it stays that way for a while. So anyone coming to this thread in another year and wondering - start your hunt in that direction!
-Kevin