Generally, you can check and test alternator with this procedure...
1. Clean the positive and negative battery terminals to ensure a good connection with the tester's clamps.
2. Connect the positive and negative clamps to the appropriate battery terminals. The clamps must make firm contact with the battery terminals or the test results will be inaccurate or the tester may not work at all.
3. Turn the tester on and choose the option for "full charging system test." This will test your battery, starter and alternator and provide the most accurate picture of the problem.
4. Follow the directions on the tester's screen. These instructions will include cranking the vehicle after the battery test is performed, holding the engine at a certain RPM range and turning on certain accessories.
5. Read the results displayed on the tester's screen. The tester should scroll through the results, starting with the battery, then the starter and finally the alternator. An alternator test result showing diode ripple problems indicates a bad alternator.
Hope helps (remember rated this).
Step 2
Connect the positive and negative clamps to the appropriate
battery terminals. The clamps must make firm contact with the battery
terminals or the test results will be inaccurate or the tester may not
work at all.
Step 3
Turn the tester on and choose the option for "full charging
system test." This will test your battery, starter and alternator and
provide the most accurate picture of the problem.
Step 4
Follow the directions on the tester's screen. These
instructions will include cranking the vehicle after the battery test is
performed, holding the engine at a certain RPM range and turning on
certain accessories.
Step 5
Read the results displayed on the tester's screen. The tester
should scroll through the results, starting with the battery, then the
starter and finally the alternator. An alternator test result showing
diode ripple problems indicates a bad alternator.
Read more:
How
to Test a Car's Alternator | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_2079784_test-cars-alternator.html#ixzz0spTYveGJ
I am not an expert, but I have a 1999 Windstar. Check the Fuse Link. A fuse link is a wire that has an internal fuse. Wire must be replaced if it is bad. Check for shorts before you replace it. Normally the wire coming directly from the battery. Get a wiring diagram. If that is not the problem, there is a square metal box (about 4 X 6) near in the tire jack compartment behind the insullation. It is a computer that controls almost all of the electrical in the vehicle. I had all kinds of electrical problem until I replaced this box. Get one out of a junk yard for the same model and year. A new one including reprogramming cost over $600.00 at the Ford dealer. Hope this helps.
Make sure you check all fuses and relays first. This is the cheapest resolution to your problem. Fuse link next. Than computer in the tire jack compartment.
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