1998 Mercury Sable Alternator Died?

1998 MERCURY SABLE
150,000 MILES • 6 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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GHETTOGAGS007
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My Mercury Sable 1998 LS(Automatic) is not starting. I had two unusual problems before this occur. The lights inside the car stayed on for no reason at times and my Check Engine Light was on. Now my car wouldn't start, but the radio works and the lights in the car work. Is this an Alternator issue? Could the alternator be bad an most likely cost the battery to die?
An my last question, is there a manual on how to remove the alternator just in case I may need to take it to get checked? Please help me :(
Jul 9, 2009 at 6:10 PM
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BUDDYCRAIGG
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the first question...
Is the engine spinning over when you turn the key to the CRANK position?
Jul 10, 2009 at 2:40 AM
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GHETTOGAGS007
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Yea. I think the engine is gone. I place a new battery in the car, when turning it on, the engine sound like a tractor. It sound horrible. I'm afraid the engine is gone. The power is good but the engine sounds disastrous.
Jul 10, 2009 at 3:42 PM
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BUDDYCRAIGG
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some things to check.

first
make sure the belts are turning when you crank the engine over.
I want to verify that the flexplate is not broken.

then, if you are not familiar with the various sounds an engine makes when something bad happened inside, i want you to remove the fan belts and crank the engine.
With the belt off, nothing on the outside of the engine will be turning over, so you'll know that it's internal.
Jul 10, 2009 at 5:48 PM