OK, car would not start tonight after work, and when it got jumped the dash lights faded in and out based on how fast the motor was reved, and the ABS light came on and off using that same pattern.

What the hell?

alternator

change it before it leaves u stranded on the highway in the cold

Sounds like alternator and battery time. Your alternator isn't putting out enough to keep the battery charged which killed the battery since you were pretty much running off of it with a bad alternator.

I just changed the alternator on mine Friday. With a voltmeter hooked to the battery, the car was getting 12.3 volts at idle, and it would increase to 13.1 when you revved the engine. Now it's something like 14.2 at idle.

I would take the alternator and battery out and take them to like, an AutoZone to get checked out. The battery, depending on how old it is, might be able to be charged by them and you'll just need a replacement alt.

Oh, and when replacing it, BE CAREFUL to not cross-thread the two lower bolts that hold it in.

I have been reading posts about not getting a car parts store alternator...where should I get one?

I picked mine up at a local parts place (NOT an AutoZone, Pep Boys or the like) and it's been OK the last few days, thankfully.

Get a Motorcraft rebuilt alternator from Ford.

I have been reading posts about not getting a car parts store alternator...where should I get one?

Get one for a 96, it's 130 amps instead of 120 and built better.

Get a Motorcraft rebuilt alternator from Ford.
I agree call Maxx.------------>