I have a 1996 Ford F-150 with 105K miles. It is the best truck I have ever had. this year while driving I noticed the voltmeter dropping off, the truck sputtered and eventually died. Sears replaced the alternator and the battery. Six months later, the battery is dead again. Today four months later, I die at a gas station and even with a jump it is dead. I towed the truck in AGAIN. They can't understand it but the alternator is magnatized, the battery dead and the starter (a Sears re-built) dead.
What is causing this? I've never heard of such a thing. The only other anomoly is there is a 15 amp fuse that controls the speedometer, dome light and chimes that continually blows out every few months. HELP

 

When is the alternator magnetized, and what part is magnetized? If the key is in your hand and the pulley is magnetized, then the alternator has a draw in it, probably caused be a bad diode. I'd get a new alternator and that should fix it.

Trevor

 

Don't let Sears work on your vehicle. 10-15 years ago I bought tires from them twice and both times when I picked up my vehicle they had a list of things I needed that I knew I didn't. They assumed I was an idiot and would have them jump on it. Then 60 Minutes does a story on how Sears routinely rips folks off by making up things that their cars need. I haven't been back since. I'm sure its not as bad as it was but I wouldn't take my car to Sears for repairs. You probably got a bad alternator from them.