A friend of mine in another state is looking at a van with an "intermittent" charging issue. The guy selling it claims to have cleaned all the grounds and connections, then changed the alternator. Now he's ready to try a new PCM on someone's recommendation.

I'm not real familar with this era's mix of old/new parts, but I assume the voltage regulator is within the PCM. Then again, an intermittent problem sure doesn't sound like a PCM issue.

Any suggestions beyond all electrical connections and perhaps a new battery?

it is built in to the pcm.
a cheap fix is to use a 70's era vr and just clip the wires from the pcm instead of replacing it.

12 bucks instead of 150.