I experianced the same set of events which lead me to change my alternator, twice. With the car running, the voltage should be 13.5 volts. Testing this across the battery terminals should read 13.5 volts no matter how bad the battery is, since you are measuring the output of the alternator. Join the dead alternator club... If that $200 is to install a high quality alternator, then when you are sure that the alternator is the culprit, jump all over that, providing the alternator is motorcraft. The job will take the average person 3-4 hours with a lift. Talk to HoosierContour if you want to find out how "fun" it is to change it on jackstands (I just helped him through his repair) PM me and I can give you some info (I can be a pretty good help if you decide to do it yourself too...) -Nick
