i have a 1998 contour with 103,000 miles on it..recently the battery likght has been flashing on and off. had my mechanic plug his little tool on the battery and says its getting the charge so he dosnt think its the alternator.. any ideas what it could be? also winter is coming any maitence tip to get done for this mileage and this time of year?

It could be an alternator on its way out. If its a remanufactured alternator, I could almost guarantee its an alternator. If its not your alternator its probably the obvious things like a bad ground or the megafuse is on its way out.

Maintenance should be done by the book. Check your maintenance manual.

The battery light will come on intermittently if the brushes are worn so much that the spring can't hold them with enough pressure against the armature..

Quick thing to check See if the alternator output wire is tight. It is the wire that is held on by the nut.