Radio/deck restarting & battery light indicator coming on

[rsquared]

Hi all,

Have a 2004 automatic hatch. Over last two months, my radio deck (Pioneer Avic F700BT) has restarted/rebooted while I was driving on 4 different occasions. Each time it felt like there was a quick power jolt (kind of like when the power goes on and off during a blackout), but my car never shut off and I've been able to continue driving. However, the last instance about a week ago, when the deck rebooted I was in the middle of a turn and I felt the steering stiffen up. It only lasted about a second or so and again, I was able to continue driving.

Over the past three days, my battery indicator light came on when I started up the car first thing in the morning and after about 5 minutes of driving goes off.

I brought it into my regular mechanic today and they couldn't replicate the problem and did various tests and couldn't find anything else wrong with it at this point. They checked the battery and he said it was completely fine. They said it could be a faulty alternator or fuse panel, but they didn't see enough proof of this to warrant replacing those parts at this time.

So right now it's just a wait and see game, but I'm worried that it might get worse and I'll end up stalling on the highway. Interested to know if anyone else has had this experience or has any advice to offer.

I did a search and it the situation below seemed similar. I checked with the OP but
http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?36614-power-fail

[cwp_sedan]

Have you had your charging system checked recently? Battery? Alternator?

[rsquared]

No I have not. How do I go about doing this? Is this something specific I should ask my mechanic to check?

[cwp_sedan]

No I have not. How do I go about doing this? Is this something specific I should ask my mechanic to check?

Just have them check the battery and alternator to make sure both are in good working order. Also make sure all connections are good. I know Canadian Tire has those battery checkers, etc so I'm sure your mechanic will have something similar to check everything.

I want to say it's probably something like the battery/alternator but if you've only had issues a few times over a couple of months, it might not be. It's obviously affecting the entire car though since you felt the steering hesitate slightly last time.

[Default User]

I doubt it's the alternator
Could be the battery or a voltage leak. It could be something silly like dirty or corroded terminal connections or even a bad ground.

But yeah - make sure you ge it checked

[dj_lj]

The same thing was happening to my car this week. turns out it was a bad ground at the shock tower. this can cause all kinds of weird stuff... abs light, power steering light, manual mode didn't work and the deck would shut off randomly. cost $300 to diagnose it but I'm just glad it wasn't anything major...

[rsquared]

Left my car idle for a week as I was out of town. Took it for a short drive today and on my way back I felt my power steering go and my headlights starting flickering. Thankfully I made it home, but now the car won't start. Everything insid powers on but it won't start and all my dashboard lights are on. I guess I will need to have it towed somewhere tomorrow morning :(

[rsquared]

Update, so just went out one more time and my hatch started just fine as if nothing happened. No warning light on or anything. Man this is frustrating.

[cwp_sedan]

Update, so just went out one more time and my hatch started just fine as if nothing happened. No warning light on or anything. Man this is frustrating.

So you got your battery alternator and wiring checked out?

[rsquared]

Yeah battery was fine and they said they didn't see anything to conclude it was the alternator so they just told me to keep an eye on it and bring back when it acted up again. I would live to bring it back to them as they're good, honest mechanics, but they are also 40km away so don't think I should take the risk of something happening on the way there. I'm happy my car started fine, but I'm worried it will make it that much harder to diagnose.

[zoso]

Had a similar problem with my car. the battery cables were loose, i ended up losing complete power while driving down the road.

[rsquared]

Managed to start the car and dropped it off at MOT this morning. I hope they can figure things out.

[rsquared]

Well it looks like my previous mechanic wasn't as good as I thought he was. Got a call from MOT service dept, they said one of the battery cells is dead so they will change the battery and then check the alternator to make sure it's still ok.

[froggy]

I thought as much, had a similar instance with an old car

[cwp_sedan]

Well it looks like my previous mechanic wasn't as good as I thought he was. Got a call from MOT service dept, they said one of the battery cells is dead so they will change the battery and then check the alternator to make sure it's still ok.

Yeah I had similar symptoms when I had a bad cell too. Glad you got things figured out.

[rsquared]

Ugh, bad news, the alternator needs to be replaced and it costs $675 including labour :bang

Anyone know of cheaper alternatives? Don't really have much of a choice as the car is undriveable.

[cwp_sedan]

Ugh, bad news, the alternator needs to be replaced and it costs $675 including labour :bang

Anyone know of cheaper alternatives?

Talk to Joe and see what your price is for OEM compared to aftermarket. Used from a wreckers could also work.

Jimmy at Street Performance or M&D Executive Auto http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/forumdisplay.php?259-M-amp-D-Executive-Auto

[MajesticBlueNTO]

Ugh, bad news, the alternator needs to be replaced and it costs $675 including labour :bang

Anyone know of cheaper alternatives? Don't really have much of a choice as the car is undriveable.

Canadian Auto Electric (http://www.canadianautoelectric.com/) ...when wtom's alternator went last year, we got a rebuilt alternator from CAE for a very good price and had jimmy install it.

[rsquared]

Thanks for all your suggestions everyone. Ended up buying the oem part from Joe at a great price and getting it installed at M&D Executive. Will get the car back tonight, hope everything will be fine after this!

[cwp_sedan]

Thanks for all your suggestions everyone. Ended up buying the oem part from Joe at a great price and getting it installed at M&D Executive. Will get the car back tonight, hope everything will be fine after this!

:thumbsup

[Copierguy]

For others that need an alternator, the wreckers sell them for 75 bucks, it is a good idea to replace both serpentine belts at same time

[RedRaptor]

Meh. Car won't start after I drove it to work. I suspect my altenator is shot as I just had the battery (yellow top) recharged at the beginning of the month. For it to be drained in a month usually means its not getting recharged.

I'll get a boost and a recharge on the battery to buy me time while shopping for a new alternator and like someone mentioned, probably get the belts replaced as well.

[jonjon72]

Meh. Car won't start after I drove it to work. I suspect my altenator is shot as I just had the battery (yellow top) recharged at the beginning of the month. For it to be drained in a month usually means its not getting recharged.

I'll get a boost and a recharge on the battery to buy me time while shopping for a new alternator and like someone mentioned, probably get the belts replaced as well.

I think I know what your problem is and I am willing to help out. It has to be those R3's your running on. Sell them to me at cost and it should solve your problem! :huge smile

[RedRaptor]

Hahahaha! They've been off the car since Sept. :) Good thing they are off too because I left my car at the office. It won't start when I tried to get a boost. The battery is probably drained beyond....

Was planning to drive it to Jimmy's but looks like I'll have to think of something else.

When you've owned a Mazda as long as I have and its left you stranded as many times as mine, you don't sweat this stuff anymore. I got a ride from a coworker to a subway station. lol.