1997 Mercury Sable GS review from North America

Bought used, I have had this car for about 5 years. It has been a really good car.

The only significant repair was a speed sensor that cost about $25.00. The rest of the repairs have been brakes, tires, oil changes, and spark plugs - all the usual stuff.

But lately I have noticed something that really worries me. The car seems to be having some kind of electrical problem. It only does things occasionally/intermittently. The battery light will flicker on and off. The dash and radio lights will brighten and dim, and my headlights will brighten and dim. The electric windows and locks will work and then they won't.

I have been driving down the road, and all of a sudden the car will lose electricity (not when I'm stopped, but while I'm moving). I'll turn the key off and on and it will start back up again. My radio settings will erase every setting and I have to reset everything. This happens for maybe a day or two and then will stop for weeks, then it will come back again for a few days.

I have had the battery checked and the alternator checked and I have been told by four places that they are in working order. Obviously I am having some sort of short somewhere, but where do I take it to? The dealership says that they aren't equipped to look for an electrical problem, but that they could give it a look see. That scares me because their look see could cost me a bundle, and I could still end up not knowing the problem. Any advice from anyone?

Rides great and I love the size.