2010 Mazda 3 GX - dead in the driveway

[mazdaagain]

I have a 2010 GX and recently replaced the battery (less than a year ago).

I ended up buying a 2013 GS and had the old car parked in the driveway for about 2 months. I went to start it and the battery was almost dead. I boosted the battery and it started no problem. I took it for a spin and it was fine with no problems. I started it again about 2 weeks later and it started no problem.

2 weeks after that I went to start it again and it was completely dead. I boosted it again and let it run for about 15 minutes then took it for a spin. While driving it around the block, the steering was sluggish and every time I made a turn I noticed that the headlights would dim and the steering would be sluggish. The next day the battery was dead again.

When I drove the car daily there was never an issue with the battery or electrical system.

Is this a battery issue ? Or is there a problem with the electrical system ?

[Hyperion]

1) Battery Can't hold a charge. Solution, bring to CT and have them test it.
2) Alternator isn't charging the battery, time for new alernator.
start by going to Canadian Tire for a test

[sarujo]

The car sitting for 2 months obviously drained the battery. Even with a phantom load within spec, multiple months is a long time. Next time I would disconnect the battery for extend periods of sitting.

The alternator is not designed to re-charge batteries from the dead. Even after a boost it puts a lot of stress on it. It would have been better to charge up the battery with a proper charger before running the car.

Headlights dimming are a sure sine of alternator. Hopefully you didn't wack your alternator trying to charge the dead battery. My recommendation would be to remove the battery and go get it fully charged and load tested. Once you have a good known battery (and fully charged) replace in car and then go have your charging system tested.

Good luck

[credential23]

Don't just drive it around ur block. Take it to the highway and drive for a few kms. If its still wont hold a charge maybe ur battery or alternator has issues.

[mazdaagain]

Don't just drive it around ur block. Take it to the highway and drive for a few kms. If its still wont hold a charge maybe ur battery or alternator has issues.

Ummm ... I'm not going to take it on the highway if I keep losing the power steering and battery keeps going while driving ...

[Mazda3Life]

Ummm ... I'm not going to take it on the highway if I keep losing the power steering and battery keeps going while driving ...

Yup, that's solid advice. My friend and I had this happen to us as we figured CT was down the street... car lost power in the middle of the intersection. Speed limit was 60. Luckily, we had a car in front and behind us that were driving to CT with us. We were able to push the car safely to the side, and the other cars dropped behind with their hazard lights. Next time we will remove the battery and drive a working car to get it checked. We boosted the car before we left it and got it too run but the battery gave out after a short idle at the lights and wouldn't turn over.

[McGuyver_3]

Power steering is electric assisted on these cars. With a weak battery everything will put stress on the battery causing the lights to dimm. You may very well have a dead cell in your battery

[morganc]

More than likely, it's a shorted cell. It's causing a huge load on the charging system and dragging the voltage well below the safe operating range. If you don't have a charge light showing on your dash while driving, then your alternator is more than likely ok.

[Flagrum_3]

It is most likely simply a dead battery. Follow Sarujo's advice above.

Use some common sense here; an alternator will not charge a dead battery properly to full charge, especially if you keep letting the battery die repeatedly. There is a good chance you farked the battery up now by simply letting it die several times and not giving it a proper full charge, not to mention putting a heavy strain on your alternator in the process.

_3

[Ps3alltheway]

It is most likely simply a dead battery. Follow Sarujo's advice above.

Use some common sense here; an alternator will not charge a dead battery properly to full charge, especially if you keep letting the battery die repeatedly. There is a good chance you farked the battery up now by simply letting it die several times and not giving it a proper full charge, not to mention putting a heavy strain on your alternator in the process.

_3

2010 a old car? lol

[cwp_sedan]

If someone didn't suggest it already, I would say it's the battery.... :gone

[2012mazda3hatch]

This exact thing happened to me, it was my serpentine belt (accessory belt), I would recommend to check that.

[mazdaagain]

Called Canadian Tire and they wanted $30 + tax to fully charge the battery. So instead a I found a battery charger/Maintainer at Walmart for $45 + taxes. The charger doesn't work with a completely dead battery so I boosted the battery and connected the charger. It took over 12 hours but it charged up the battery to over 60% and now the car starts no problems at all. I'm putting the car back on the road so it should not be an issue any more.