I have to 2008 Honda Fit Sport GT at 150,000 miles. I'm overdue for spark plugs and valve adjustments. Money's been tight. Whatever. No excuses.

The past two years, my car battery has been dying at a faster rate. This last one was just a month or two. I'm replacing them at AutoZone trying to buy time. AAA gave me a jump today and tested my battery. They said the battery was charged, but the reading measuring the alternator was low. Could this be caused by old spark plugs and valves or is this straight up an alternator issue?

Would you avoid buying an alternator at Autozone? Rockauto or Napa?

Any Chicago mechanic recommendations are also appreciated as I just moved back. Thanks.

 

I think AutoZone and others will test alternators. You'll have to pull it out and bring it in though. I'd double check their willingness to test before removing it.

 

"Could this be caused by old spark plugs and valves[?]" Definitely not- the delayed maintenance on these is not the cause of your alternator issue.

 

do your lights seem to flicker really fast? or when you give the car gas the lights get clearly brighter?

if these things happen id look at the alternator

 

Plugs and valve adjustment have nothing to do with alternator rate of charge. Short trips and cold weather do notthelp keep the battery charged. I would plug a voltmeter in to and accessory socket and see what the alternator is doing whiie you drive. Voltages around 14.0 are normal while driving down the road. A little lower 13.6 or so at idle especially with the lights and heater fan on, would be OK.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Digital-LED...IAAOSwvg9XVg24

They are about $2.00 cheaper out of China if you have time to wait for shipping.
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One thing I have seen on several vehicles that causes this is a slipping belt.

 

Another option is, if you have an Android smartphone or tablet, is a bluetooth OBD2 adapter like this (Less than $4!) and the Torque app (Free!).

https://www.ebay.com/itm/ELM327-Car-...wAAOSwNlJc9OFb

With this, you can monitor lots of the cars systems and also scan and clear OBD codes!