Drove my Ford F-150 for 6 months with a failing alternator because I refused to buy anything else

My 2012 F-150 started acting up back in March. Dim lights, weird clicking, the whole deal. I knew it was the alternator but I COULD NOT bring myself to put a Duralast or some junk brand in my truck. So I just sat on it, kept jumping it, drove it like that for way too long. Finally broke down and spent $380 on a Motorcraft OEM from the dealer and it fired right up. Anyone else stick with OEM parts even when it costs you more time and money?

3 comments

3 Comments

pat_schmidt6017d ago

Jumped through those same hoops with my old Silverado, except I let the battery drain one too many times and it warped the posts. @lisak26 is right about the risk, but honestly I think I saved a little face by not being seen slumped over a Chinese alternator in the Autozone parking lot. Dead alternator or dead dignity, take your pick.

lisak2618d ago

I wonder if the real cost was just trusting it not to leave you stranded somewhere sketchy.

kelly_nelson9516d ago

And it kind of goes beyond cars too honestly. I've noticed that pattern with a lot of things like cheap phone chargers or bargain brand tools where you save a few bucks upfront but you're always on edge wondering when they're gonna give out. It ends up costing you more in stress and time than the money you saved. Feels like we've all been trained to gamble on reliability just to stretch a dollar.