[Booner76]

Hi All
I have an 04 Mazda 6 ..3 litre..Battery light in dash is on.. Checked connections on battery (CLEAN..TIGHT).Battery drained so recharged battery.(OK) While engine running ..disconnect battery..engine dies. Reconnect battery..start.. check voltage at battery while engine running..11.7 volts.(even while reving engine above idle.) I would asume that the alternator is bad..
Question......Is there anything else to check for besides what I have already done.. (wiring seems Ok to alternator). relay..fuse??

Cheers

(BTW,,Great Forum!)

 

[Booner76]

Bump

 

[Speed135]

You are already in the hole, a fully charged battery is about 12.56 volts. Looking at my 2007 wiring schematic for non turbo car, there is a 150 amp fuse (it says fuse) or C/B between the alternator and battery. Could not pin down location in short time but suspect with that much amps it will be located close to sourse of power. There is a fuse box in front of driver under hood. Hope that helps. People report strange electrical things happen with low battery. With battery fully charged again things should go back to normal. If possible you should not depend on car alternator to charge near dead battery, buy a charger, you never know when you need one in future anyway.

 

[Speed135]

If the fuse is blown, there must be a good reason for it so be aware, possible bare wire from alternator grounded. But most likely need new alternator. I understand some parts stores can check it for you-never did it myself.

 

[scubadiver305]

sounds like a bad alternator to me. especially if the car is dying/battery is draining after letting it idle/drive. i would take it out and run it over to an auto parts store to get it tested just to make sure, some stores can test it while its still in the car others can't. thats about the only thing that makes sense to me.

 

[Booner76]

Thanks for the feed back.
Changing alternator today. Will let forum know results.
Cheers

 

[flipper66]

don't change an alternator.

remove, take to shop, have them rebuild....... for about 80 or so bucks you have a brand new alternator. for about 10 dollars more they will increase the AMPs for ya.... just gotta ask.

 

[Booner76]

Alternator changed.. good to go ..14.2 volts on load test.Did not want to go rebuilt.Just do it once.$$$. That is one tough job to replace..Had a friend who has a repair shop do it. This was not a shadetree type job.Especially in the winter at 15 C below! LOL
Cheers

 

[flipper66]

If you say so.

Ive had alternators and starters rebuilt douzens of times on different vehicles..... getting a new one isn't any cheaper and often isnt any faster locally as who ever you get it from has to order it.

The starter I'm driving around with on my 6 is a rebuilt OEM one I had done...... works better than the 2 "new" OEM ones the dealer has put in. at 1/4 the cost of buying a new one.

glad you got it figured out.

 

[Booner76]

Didn't buy alternator from Mazda.($$$). It's a Mitsubitchi (sp).(alot cheaper)... not a rebuild. All in all ...worked out great!
Thanks for all the input.
Cheers

 

[Tadpole]

Didn't buy alternator from Mazda.($$$). It's a Mitsubitchi (sp).(alot cheaper)... not a rebuild. All in all ...worked out great!
Thanks for all the input.
Cheers

What if alternator is testing good but still not charging how do you check for broken wire or does it have a fuse