ALTERNATOR IN MY 2000 MERCURY COUGAR FAILED FOR THE THIRD TIME. THE CAR IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY AND I AM STUCK WITH THE BILL. FAILURE WAS FOLLOWED BY SMOKING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHICH STEADILY INCREASED, SMALL FIRE EVOLVED SOON AFTERWARD. WAS ABLE TO PUT IT OUT WITH A BOTTLE OF COKE (A BRAND THAT HAS NEVER LET ME DOWN). I WAS ASSURED BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THIS ISSUE WAS TAKEN CARE OF SOME TIME AGO. I HAVE HATED THIS CAR FOR ALL OF ITS PROBLEMS AND HAVE SUCCESSFULLY STEERED PEOPLE AWAY FROM FORD PRODUCTS. I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER DOMESTIC VEHICLE FOR AS LONG AS I LIVE. *AK