put in a battery then check the alternator... you may need both

 

Not to hi-jack, but how long is a battery supposed to last usually?

 

the ones ford uses seem to last close to ten years. seriously my brothers contour had its original battery, it was still good but we replaced it anyway it was still good after ten years. mine was the original but i replaced it when i bought the car last febuary. newer batteries last for a long long time.