Electrical / Power steering issue?

[jl_1978]

A few weeks ago, while driving during the day, all my interior lighting (speedometer, etc) shut off for about 5 seconds. It came back on it's own and I didn't really think anything of it. I drive about 80km daily and have not seen that happen again, so don't know if it's related.
Yesterday, while driving, for the first 10 minutes, every time I put my turn signal on, my radio would turn off and on (and display the "Hello" message). After 10 minutes, this stopped. However, when I got to my destination, in the parking lot, every time I tried to turn, my electrical system shut off and I lost my power steering. I just parked the car for a couple hours and checked the battery connections when I leaving (positive, negative, body ground were all firmly in place). I drove home with no issues. When I got home, I measured the battery while running (~14.1V) and while stopped (~13.8V) and cleaned off a bit of corrosion on the terminals.
Today, I drove to work and had no problems. However, when I drove to lunch, I started having the power steering issue again when I got to the parking lot. After lunch, everything was fine again.

No electrical mods and no permanent warning lights... When the power steering goes, some lights flash (I think ABS and a couple others, but didn't pay enough attention).

Any ideas?

[JonsMazda]

Details of your car would help.

[jl_1978]

Lol, sorry... 2004 Mazda3 Sport 2.3L. 170,000km.

[JonsMazda]

Did you replace your battery? or still using the same one from 2004?

[jl_1978]

Did you replace your battery? or still using the same one from 2004?

Same one, but I've never had any issues starting the car... Also wouldn't a bad battery cause this to happen regularly instead of intermittently?

[JonsMazda]

Hmmm, I got a feeling it is the battery, the alternator probably recharges the battery but not enough juice left. Bring your car to a shop and they should be able to tell you if your battery is dying.

[jl_1978]

Thanks... I just replaced the battery without checking the original... I only had time to get to Costco before they closed and no chance to test anywhere. I figure it's over 9 years old, so I'd need a new one soon anyways, so not a big deal...
Do you think it's the battery based on similar experiences in the past? I'm just not sure because the problem is so inconsistent. I drove about 4 trips (~10km each) after the lunch time issue and not even a hint of a problem.

[Flagrum_3]

Thanks... I just replaced the battery without checking the original... I only had time to get to Costco before they closed and no chance to test anywhere. I figure it's over 9 years old, so I'd need a new one soon anyways, so not a big deal...
Do you think it's the battery based on similar experiences in the past? I'm just not sure because the problem is so inconsistent. I drove about 4 trips (~10km each) after the lunch time issue and not even a hint of a problem.

It may well have been your battery but, it doesn't sound like it to me. Replacing the battery 'may' have solved the issue (we don't know this yet, give it more time) because the terminals would have been disconnected completely and long enough for the computer to have reset. Here's a couple of things that come to mind that could have caused the issue; The actual terminal posts were corroded inside therefore causing erratic disconnection, only removing the terminals completely and then cleaning would have solved this. Then there is the possibility of a loose or corroded ground, this may have been resolved when they changed out the battery as it is procedure to check, clean and tighten the ground with every battery replacement. Hopefully the issue has been resolved because if not, it may mean a faulty PJB.

_3

[jl_1978]

It may well have been your battery but, it doesn't sound like it to me. Replacing the battery 'may' have solved the issue (we don't know this yet, give it more time) because the terminals would have been disconnected completely and long enough for the computer to have reset. Here's a couple of things that come to mind that could have caused the issue; The actual terminal posts were corroded inside therefore causing erratic disconnection, only removing the terminals completely and then cleaning would have solved this. Then there is the possibility of a loose or corroded ground, this may have been resolved when they changed out the battery as it is procedure to check, clean and tighten the ground with every battery replacement. Hopefully the issue has been resolved because if not, it may mean a faulty PJB.

_3

Actually, I cleaned the corrosion and checked the ground the night before when it first happened. Everything was disconnected long enough for the computer to reset (I'm assuming because my clock/presets/trip meter all reset). Then the issue happened again at lunch time the next day. I've only driven once since changing the battery, so definitely need more time to see if the problem is still there.

Any (not too difficult) ways for me to test the PJB?