One problem related to battery cable has been reported for the 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
1997 Ford Grand Marquis - occasional interruptions in electrical power were occurring with the radio going off, the low fuel level light going on, and the battery meter dropping. After replacing the battery the interruptions continued until finally the battery cables caught on fire. I turned off the ignition and by this time the insulation on both the positive and ground cables had completely burned off and the battery continued to supply current. I knocked off the ground terminal and dosed the fire with water.