waddup man my girl has a 95 Mercury mystake (mystique) and the same thing happened i replaced two alternators in two days and found out the original one was fine it was a compter in the car (those little electrical harnesses in the engine) and it was corroded so bad it wouldnt keep a charge to the battery and was constantly draining it...
the battery could have a dead cell, this could cause it to not charge. Have the battery tested to be sure.
I can tell you that on a 2000 mercury cougar it is a fuse on the positive cable between the battery and the alternator
usually that the battery isn't taking a charge. have the alternator checked, many shops will test the charging system for free
wires, connecters, terminals
There isn't any fuse then is linked to the alternator on a 1996 Mercury cougar. The alternator has an internal regulator, but does not have a fuse.
Battery light usually means alternator not charging. Most common solutions would be be a bad alternator, bad connection, or loose alternator belt. If the battery and alt test ok than check the connections to the alternator and battery. You may also have a battery drain (something that is staying on and killing the battery)
Every time you disconnect a battery cable you have to reprogram the radio stations ( if that's what you are asking )
This happened to me on a road trip in my 84 Cougar. It was a long time ago, but first make sure your belts are tight! But I believe you may need to replace the alternator. If the battery is old, its cheap insurance to do both.
embedded with alternator
Its a sign that either your battery or alternator is starting to fail.
An alternator can charge normally but can still drain a battery if the diode(s) are defective. Try this: remove the(red) positive cable from the back of the alternator and then touch it to the post that you removed it from. Remember, this is hot so don't touch it to anything else. If it sparks this indicates the alternator is pulling current, and is bad.
If the bearings in the alternator get bad enough it can lock up.