Replaced the battery 2 days ago, still won't hold a charge, I have to jump start it, then an hour later it's dead again. I have an ignition interlock on it, could that be draining the battery, or could it be something else?
2006-12-17 23:04:24 · 6 answers · asked by oneamy2001 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Have you checked your charging system yet? As long as your alternator is putting out 14 volts or above then there is nothing wrong with your charging system. If not then replace it. Most parts stores have a machine that tests the output of alternators. Or you can use a fluke meter if you have one. It has to be either that or something is being left on all the time and running your battery down. Also check the battery terminals and make sure they are not corroded and loose. Hope this helped you out.....
2006-12-17 23:17:47 · answer #1 · answered by guitardan 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The first test I would do is to disconnect one of the battery cables from the battery and connect an ammeter in series between the battery cable terminal and the battery terminal you removed it from. The ammeter should read less than 1/4 ampere (250 milliamperes) after the car has been parked for a couple hours and all the accessory lights etc are off in the car. This is known as measuring the "parasitic" current drawn from the car's battery. Too much parasitic current draw drains the battery which is more and more of a problem the less you drive the car, because your battery only gets recharged fully when you drive the car for at least 30 minutes at road speeds. Also have your charging voltage checked as suggested above. Some Mazdas had a defective trunk switch that allowed the trunk light to stay on when you closed the trunk lid. Good luck!
2006-12-18 00:35:21 · answer #2 · answered by bobweb 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't know about ignition interlocks or Mazda's but either it is not charging when running or it is discharging when not running. If it is not charging when running that would mean if you drive it it eventually will stall and need another jump when all the battery voltage is gone. cause would be Alternator or wiring from Alternator to Battery.
If it is discharging when not running then chances are you have an electrical device wired in backwards that draws current when the vehicle is turned off.
2006-12-17 23:40:54 · answer #3 · answered by Red 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
did you solve your problem? I used my Saturday morning, worked totally fine, jumped in it later to go the moves and nothing but clicks, boost it runs great until its turned off and then needs to be boosted again to drive it again. Nothing has changed, never left lights on and always turn off the radio and air conditioner when I get out, interior lights are always turned off, has worked perfect since I took it out of storage for a month.
2015-06-14 14:16:21 · answer #4 · answered by wendy 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
take it to a parts store such as advanced or auto zone and have them run a test on your alternater sounds like its gone bad when your car is running what side of the volt meter is the needle on if its on the left side you have a bad alternater
2006-12-17 23:15:19 · answer #5 · answered by carnut22288 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
sounds like altenator,get it checked
2006-12-17 23:39:54 · answer #6 · answered by vincent c 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋