Power Steering Failiure

[asyed]

So i just left the house today and was turning onto a main road that is the busiest in my town, when I felt the steering go stiff as if it locked. I checked the gauge cluster and saw that indeed their was a low power steering fluid light on. So I took it to an empty parking lot to investigate. Enroute to the parking lot , I noticed my power steering light was going on and off ( and steering was being temporarily restored to its powered state and then back to unpowered), I also noted my ABS and E-Brake Lights also flashing on and off, as well as the screen of my GPS ( aftermarket) flickering. I parked and checked under the hood to find that the fluid was indeed at the "MAX" level. So I continued to drive on and got not problms for the rest of the trip. I then gave my car to my dad ( had no time to go myself) to take it to Maple Mazda since I heard about a recall that was related to power steering on my vehicle ( although the car was inspected there before with no problems ) and that my car may have not have the pump replaced. My dad comes back and says that the part was indeed replace back in 2010. They offered to do a diagnostic and repair what had gone wrong for quite a steep price ( atleast for a college student) so my dad turned his offer down but i then realized i should probably do it anyways as it is a safety issue. I just wanted to ask if there is anything else that could result in this???? My battery is what i think it is since it came out as "Marginal" when walmart tested my battery.


Thanks, Asyed

[S.F.W.]

Battery and very possible alternator.

[asyed]

Battery and very possible alternator.

Thank you,

I will look into it as soon as I have the time

[Nikhil Pali]

I had nearly same thing, but my car just died on me and won't start. So I took it to Canadian tire as it died in parking lot just next to canadian tire. They preformed car charging and electrical system test, charged 50$ and turns out, alternator failed. They had new alternator for 349$. So searched this forum and kijiji and found Wally at Wally's Auto electrical in brampton who had brand new alternator for 189$. Went to brampton and crappy tire put it in for me with 1hr labour charge.

If the car is still drivable, take to Wally in Brampton. He will check your alternator, battery, etc (car charging system) for free. He has adds on kijiji, seach wally alternator. Or you can take it Canadian tire, they will charge 50$ for full electrical check. Its is called I think some AES test or something (not 100% sure whats its called). I think some mazda dealers could do the same test for free, just tell them that you want car charging electrical system checked. This will determine if its battery, alternator or something else.

[FoXy]

What year is your car? Could be that recall

[asyed]

What year is your car? Could be that recall

It is a 2008.

According to the dealer the car was indeed taken to another dealer back in 2010 for the recall service...

[asyed]

I had nearly same thing, but my car just died on me and won't start. So I took it to Canadian tire as it died in parking lot just next to canadian tire. They preformed car charging and electrical system test, charged 50$ and turns out, alternator failed. They had new alternator for 349$. So searched this forum and kijiji and found Wally at Wally's Auto electrical in brampton who had brand new alternator for 189$. Went to brampton and crappy tire put it in for me with 1hr labour charge.

If the car is still drivable, take to Wally in Brampton. He will check your alternator, battery, etc (car charging system) for free. He has adds on kijiji, seach wally alternator. Or you can take it Canadian tire, they will charge 50$ for full electrical check. Its is called I think some AES test or something (not 100% sure whats its called). I think some mazda dealers could do the same test for free, just tell them that you want car charging electrical system checked. This will determine if its battery, alternator or something else.


I will probably take it to Mazda since they already know about the problem and see what they will charge( including TM3 discount) then I think ill go to Jimmy if he could do it since I have heard great things about his work and went to him for my spoiler install and got good results.

[asyed]

So same thing happened again today, this time the gauges shut off for a few seconds.....I think I'll try a new battery first

[S.F.W.]

So same thing happened again today, this time the gauges shut off for a few seconds.....I think I'll try a new battery first
have your charging system tested before you buy a new battery. If your alternator needs replacing, it is not charging your battery properly. Putting in a new battery, with a bad alternator will not help.

[asyed]

have your charging system tested before you buy a new battery. If your alternator needs replacing, it is not charging your battery properly. Putting in a new battery, with a bad alternator will not help.

Yep... figured i should look into the alternator/charging system before wasting money on a new battery. Went to Maple Mazda today and booked an apointment for wednesday....

[TheMAN]

the battery should still be tested
alternators don't just fail for no reason... many factory ones are generally reliable these days... it's bad batteries that kills them (and starters) quicker than anything...

[sudz]

the battery should still be tested
alternators don't just fail for no reason... many factory ones are generally reliable these days... it's bad batteries that kills them (and starters) quicker than anything...

+1

Bad battery causes the alternator to work overtime = Premature failure. If your car is on its original battery, it doesn't owe you much, and you'd probably want to replace it before winter anyway.

[Reddie1337]

We have this problem very often when we start to work on a Mazda that has been sitting for a while and the battery is dead, we always just change the battery and it solves it. It's just the battery powered power steering pump, takes too much juice before the alternator can recharge the battery enough. Definitely get the alternator tested, but I bet it will just be a battery.

[asyed]

We have this problem very often when we start to work on a Mazda that has been sitting for a while and the battery is dead, we always just change the battery and it solves it. It's just the battery powered power steering pump, takes too much juice before the alternator can recharge the battery enough. Definitely get the alternator tested, but I bet it will just be a battery.

this sounds very likely as i am not sure of how long the car was sitting in the dealer lot ( and possibly exposed to the elements since they appeared to only keep the "nicer" cars inside)

[asyed]

Update: went to maple Mazda, turned out it was just a bad battery under heavy load.... got battery replaced and car drives and feels normal again :D

[loki]

Update: went to maple Mazda, turned out it was just a bad battery under heavy load.... got battery replaced and car drives and feels normal again :D

3 threads and counting that you've mentioned that you've got a new battery

[pwdunmore]

3 threads and counting that you've mentioned that you've got a new battery

That's where the phrase: "cool story bro... tell it again" is used lol...

[loki]

That's where the phrase: "cool story bro... tell it again" is used lol...

no...because then he will tell it again

could have always spotted another member while out getting the battery. So it could pop up in the sightings thread.

"spotted. white gen2 hatch. no noticeable mods and couldn't tell if there was tm3 plates. Either way nice looking car. I was out getting a new battery for my car when I saw you."

[asyed]

no...because then he will tell it again

could have always spotted another member while out getting the battery. So it could pop up in the sightings thread.

"spotted. white gen2 hatch. no noticeable mods and couldn't tell if there was tm3 plates. Either way nice looking car. I was out getting a new battery for my car when I saw you."



sorry :(

didnt realize until i posted that i sounded repetitive :|

[Axela Mazda 3]

anyone tried the costo kirkland battery? it's selling for 72.99 and it's a really tempting price

[sudz]

Its a great battery! my dad uses one in the boat (deep cycle) and he's had one in my moms car for 9 years, and its never failed him, even when the thing is parked for 3 months int he winter outdoors.