car died when driving

1998 Windstar. 3.8 Started my car after work and the battery light came on. Drove home (10 min. drive) and lights went out 1 min. away from house, then died just as I pulled into my driveway. Tried to start car again and it didn't do anything. In the morning car started, battery light came on so I put a charger on it (it showed low battery). Then I put a new battery on the car but the battery light still came on. I haven't had the original battery tested to see if that was the problem. I have another car that had a new battery. Does the computer have to be reset to get the battery light to shut off or could the problem be the alternator. The drive belt is perfect. How can I test the alternator.

It very well could be (and sounds like) the charging system. This would be the alternator, regulator or the interconnecting cables. Ensure that the battery cables and connectors are in good shape and free of corrosion at the terminals. Make sure they are fastened tightly to the battery. Take a look at the cables from the alternator and make sure they are in good shape. You can take the alternator to a parts place and they can test the alternator for you. (Canadian tire in canada does it for free). The regulator is internal to the regulator

Thanks, it was the alternator, I called Canadian Tire (because my son works there I thought that they wouldn't take me for a ride) they wanted 33.95 to do the test and if it was the alternator they said it would cost at least 450.00 installed. So I took it to a Starter and Alternator Mom and Pop place, they would not rebuild the alternator because they said Windstars always come back, but they put a new one in it cost 260.00 plus 20.00 to install. Alternators are so easy to install in Windstars. THANK YOU for your insight. I wish Canadian Tire in Simcoe, Ontario, Canada did do they test for free.

Glad it worked out for you. That surprises me about Canadian Tire charging for the test but I matbe this is the new way. I am convinced that service at Canadian Tire's have gone down significantly the last few years. At one time it was the first place I thought of to get parts for my car. I often do not even consider them anymore.