My 1999 Ford Escort Station Wagon keeps going through alternators, what is the likely culprit?

When I first bought the car, the only thing amiss was the windshield wipers would once in a blue moon come on once, then turn back off. Once I moved, and started driving more, I had one alternator go out. After resurfacing the inside, it worked for a good two or three months. Then I bought a brand new one, and that lasted four months, then went out again. Once I put a new one in, it went out once again in less than 24 hours. Also, after the increased driving, sometimes the windshield wipers would come on frequently, for longer periods, but not every time it was driven.

We checked the dimmer/blinker/windshield wiper switch, and it looks brand new. Sometimes the lighting on the radio goes in and out, but stays bright with high beams on.

When the alternator started going on the first brand new one, the battery light came on and off, but I was able to drive my 45 mile round trip, then 15 miles back into town the next day, before it went out for good. The second one went after sitting and idling for a good five or so minutes.

I'm thinking there's some sort of electrical short somewhere, but have no idea where to start.

My vehicle is making an awful knocking noise?

I'm a delivery driver first of all. I drive a 1999 ford escort. We'll today on a delivery I was leaving a customers house and when I put my car in reverse I noticed a terrible knocking noise coming from my front end. When I got out of the driveway and put it into drive it died on me, this happened 4-5 times before I finally got it to start and drive.
We'll when I started driving the knocking became louder, but when I let off the gas it stops. It wouldn't go much over 35mph unless going downhill. So I pulled off at a gas station a few miles up the road and when I pulled beside a pump it died again.
When in park/neutral it sounds fine, but when I put it in gear if I don't give it gas it will die and when I do give it gas it makes that awful noise. I thought it could be my lifters but I checked them out and they are fine. The sound is coming more from the bottom end of my engine.

Also I don't know if this matters or has any relevance, but when I put it in gear my engine lifts up about 6-7 inches. And taking it out of gear the engine goes back down. I need some help or advice, I'm not much of a mechanic and I need my vehicle running again As soon as possible. Any advice or help would be much appreciated

My car key comes out hot after turning it off?

I have a good ford escort se works like new had new engine installed before buying, and well i started working on it by painting it etc, and now my concern is that when i cold start the car it idles at it sounds like it will die, then after a while i pull out the key and it is hot not boiling, but hot enough i'm kind of worried any ideas please help thank you!

Ac blowing hot air in my ford?

I have a 2003 Ford Escort ZX2 and the AC is blowing hot air.
Last summer it worked fine but over time it slowly started blowing out less and less of cold air.
Should I take the chance of using AC Pro or a refridgerant like that or just take it to the shop?

Tow place wants more than car's worth to get plates back?

My sister wrecked a ford escort is Delaware a month ago and now we need the plates, which she should have taken from the crash. I live in Pennsylvania and need the plates back to send in to the DMV. The two place wants 1500 dollars for storage to send the plates back. There's no way that i'm paying that much for a car that was worth 1900 dollars and now sits destroyed. How much will the fine be for not returning the plates to the state? And the insurance was canceled a few days ago so, and I think the time on a car not having insurance and sending the plates back is 30 days.

My 2003 ford escort zx2 is being difficult?

I like my zx2 but for the past month my engine light keeps coming in saying spark plug cylinder 1&4 randomly misfired, or P0301&P0304. I've replaced the spark plugs, spark plug wires, and the ignition coil pack (were all the spark plug wires connect, didn't know if I got the name wrong) and it seems to happen right as I'm accelerating. Is this bad for my car for one? And two has anybody else had this problem? If not does anybody know of a good website to ask this question on