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2006 Mazda3 Battery Problem
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bgh10788
New User
Jan 15, 2009, 9:32 PM
Post #1 of 5
(10968 views)
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2006 Mazda3 Battery Problem
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Hello.
I have a 2006 Mazda3 Hatchback, 2.3L with 50K miles. I parked it in the garage for 2 weeks, and when I went to start it, the battery was dead. I had it jumped and then drove 200 miles without problems (stopping for gas too). I left it parked for about a week, and it started OK but it required a little cranking. Then, later in the week, I went to go start it again, but it wouldn't start.
I took the battery to Autozone, but they couldn't test it on the normal machine. They had to use what they called a "Toaster." This thing said the battery was weak (a little less than 10V) and told me to buy a new one. I haven't put the new battery in yet because it's -15 here in the Chicagoland area, but I wanted to make sure there's nothing else that could be wrong. Could the low reading could have been because the battery was drained? Is it probably because the battery isn't holding a charge or is there something draining power in the car? How do I test this (will they do it at Autozone)?
I did notice for several months that it had to crank a little bit to get the engine running if it had been sitting for a while.
Thank you!
-Brian
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 16, 2009, 4:17 AM
Post #2 of 5
(10965 views)
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Re: 2006 Mazda3 Battery Problem
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Batteries, 101:
They don't like cold and that alone can kill a new one if discharged. In fact just being low, or allowed to get low too much is hard on them.
Charge your new battery - it isn't necessarily fully charged when you get it!
Jump and go: Not good! When a battery is low or dead and a car will take a jump the alternator works double time as soon as the battery has just enough juice to energize it. Ya - takes the battery power to enable the alternator - I didn't make the rules, that's just the way it is . When that low it should just be run a little or just to get it to where it can be charged up by charger - not the car's alternator.
You can end up playing ping-pong with battery and alternators - both need to be good at the same time and one can kill the other.
Also note: Dead/drained batteries will freeze and some will even crack and lose acid!
T
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MrPlazmaDude
New User
Nov 30, 2010, 9:53 PM
Post #3 of 5
(10100 views)
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Re: 2006 Mazda3 Battery Problem
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I was informed by the Mazda service center that the battery that come stock in the 2006 are anything but long lasting.
My car is parked near my neighbors house because I didn't listen and change out my battery in time. Normally I would just rely on doing a compression start but this time it was a no go with the bone chilling cold.
Now, I know batteries dont enjoy cold, however, there are certainly better batteries for cold than others. I grew up and lived 19 years in Helena Montana where it was routinely -20 or colder every night, I had no garage, and I could wake up every morning and get my old 87 Toyota pickup churnin again after a few chugging attempts and a brick on the accelerator.
My point is, if you live in cold weather, be sure to do some research on which one is going to be best for you. I am getting ready to do the same now.
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Contra
New User
Dec 1, 2010, 8:41 AM
Post #4 of 5
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Re: 2006 Mazda3 Battery Problem
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I actually have had a similar problem, and unfortunately, it's back.
I have a 2006 Mazda 3, 4 door... and the battery has been constantly failing.
So we charged it. Nope, doesn't work.
We jumped started it, and that worked. However, even when driving it on a regular basis, it would eventually refuse to start.
So we replaced the battery. Same problem.
Then we had a mechanic look at it and he said that the trunk wasn't closing properly, hence the light always being on. That worked...
For a few months. And even though I don't recall opening the trunk since then, I'm back to a dead battery. I'm at a total loss for what it could be, other than an alternator issue.
What usually happens is that the car's electrical system will start up, yet, when I turn the key, I just get a clicking noise. Eventually, even things like the radio/dashboard lights stop turning on (I.E. little/no juice is available).
I really don't know what to do!
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Dec 4, 2010, 10:26 AM
Post #5 of 5
(10060 views)
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Re: 2006 Mazda3 Battery Problem
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Folks - this thread dated to Jan '09! Please start your own with suggestions or info you want to share.
While I'm here - note the build date on the door jam if original or date on battery. 3 years and troubles they should be tossed. IMO 4 years you are gamling,
Tom
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