dug06824

Iam not completely sure if is not my fault or a problem with the car, my 05 rx8 bought new april 06 currently has 18,300 miles . I had the battery replaced already,(do not recall when) but today I had to call for help to get my car jumped.,I had to have this done acouple weeks ago as well. I dont use this car everyday to drive it to work and often only drive it less than 10 miles a day,so Iam thinking its my fault in that Iam not letting it charge enough. If it is my fault ,without going out and buying a battery charger how long or how many miles a day does the engine need to run to recharge a battery to offset its usage? since the new battery was installed I try to make sure all access are shut off - opinions welcome -could I have a short somewhere or is it me or is the oem battery not up to the job. this is before winter
here in connecticut. I dont want to think about this ion a month from now.

Huey52

iTrader: (2)

Make sure the trunk isn't slightly ajar, as the interior light will drain the battery overnight.

The security system is a small, but continuous drain.

I try to run mine at least every two weeks when not daily driving, otherwise I put on the trickle charger. Your 10 miles daily should be adequate to keep the battery topped up tho'.

I'm on my OEM battery (the Interstate that came with the better starter) on my late March '05 build with 20k miles.

EDZRIDE

iTrader: (1)

I had a problem similar to yours, wound up replacing the battery with a Group 35 Optima Red Top. You should have the battery and charging system checked though before replacing anything.

Mazurfer

Check your battery terminal posts, if they are all cruddy then clean them off. It's possible that your alternator isn't charging the battery for this reason.
If you have a multimeter, then start the car and measure across the terminals.......you should have about 14.2v and then you'll know that your alternator is okay and capable of charging the battery.

dug06824

I drive less than5miles sometimes less then 3 ,recently, the dealer put the replacement battery in awhile ago,wouldnt they check the alternator? ,all looks clean at the posts IAM afraid to turn it offr when I go do a 1/2 mile trip to the store,our cars dont have amp gauge I havent seen the battery light stay . when it wont start the dash is dead as well its been acouple days since I was jumped ,if I disconnected + post while engine running would that tell if it is charging .aparently it is I have started and stopped these last few days .. Iam back to is it the battery or me

EDZRIDE

iTrader: (1)

Don't disconnect the + terminal! A lot could have happend since the battery was replaced, go get it checked out.

dug06824

my car was built 05-05 may 2005 bought new april 2006 with 25miles .,so it was just one year new when I took delivery ,but the oem battery was replaced already

dug06824

such as ....when it starts it fine no check engine warnings and it runs strong

Im_DANomite

iTrader: (1)

you're not driving it enough. i work for a dealership and see many cars that come in for the exact problem. i always recommend getting a trickle charger and connecting it to the car whenever it's gonna stay in the garage.

also, some people have come up with a kill switch connected to the battery. whenever they don't use it, they "disconnect" the battery so it doesn't draw down. this can be an inconvenience because you would lose the radio preset and clock.

Triperformance

I work at a dealer also and if that battery is dead there's at least a year long warantee parts wise on it!

Nubo

+1 on the trickle charger (a.k.a. "battery tender, battery minder, etc...) That's about the best advice for a vehicle driven infrequently. A lot cheaper than driving it around for the sole purpose of charging the battery.

Also, once a battery has been drained down to where you need repeated jump starts, it's probably been weakened to a degree, unless it's a deep-cycle battery.

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

stock battery suck, replace it with a good one like Optima. it seems bloody expensive. but its worth it.

I have a used yellow top battery collecting dust right now, it came from my bro's totaled lost car. my idiot bro always turn his radio on without turning the car on for 3-4 yrs the battery still works. highly recommend.

I just got a Red top for my 8 about 3 months ago. Couldn't be happier. (cuz the stock battery died)

dug06824

after needing yet another jump a day after driving around long enough to charge the battery I brought it in to dealership. about 20miles ,each way. highway miles. it was about 25 degrees this morning and by the time I got to the dealership I still had no heat. during the summer the car didnt seem that cold at times when I tried to adjust the a/c ...well 11 month replacement battery is defective / replaced today and now I need a heater control module that intermitently works-on order. car was charging 14.2 volts but the battery was defective or dead whichever applies would start car but any load such as lights did the battery in - no cost to me today except time and gas and the return trip I have to do next week. I asked if the heater control unit shorting out could be involed with battery issue but did not get an answer.. we shall see. Iam glad I didnt let them charge my a/c coolant last year when I complained about controling heat and cold air. I first thought it was mechanical ie vent door opening or not closing . if this happens again I will try to opt to pay the difference for a stronger battery than the ones they are putting in the car -I think it is 550 crank 36 month battery .

dug06824

battery replaced last week , car starts well we had freezing temps overnight, heat controller part came in, I have heat again and cold a/c as well.. this part started to wear out last summer with less and less control between hot and cold air in cabin.

all in all everything was covered except for time and gas bringing car in to the dealer.

Tayninh

I have an 04 and had the dealer replace the battery last year as well as its third set up plugs. It only has 14,000 on it. The battery died today and I take it to work mostly so it was charged. I might go and buy an Interstate battery. Seems the Mazda batteries are crap. Just my opinion right now.

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

Mazda battery = Interstate battery

Either one is crap.

Go Optima ... it seems expensive but it pays for itself over the years ...

avakiannl

iTrader: (1)

Triper, If the the original battery was replaced under warranty with a one that is labeled as a 36 month 100% warranty and 70-85% prorated warranty to 60 months, do I actually get the warranty on the battery label or only 12 months from date of installation like other parts?

Detrich

my car is an 04-2005 build date... also very weak battery. but, i noticed that starting the car up at least once a week prevents it from draining. i've had to jump it 2x's from accidentally leaving the trunk open...

EDZRIDE

iTrader: (1)

If the battery was replaced under the B toB warranty, they will only warranty it for the remainder of the B to B (prorated of course).

dug06824

my rx8 needs help , today after having car back from dealer for two weeks now with new battery and heater control module ,car started today but battery warning stayed on .,while going on short run today light finally went off and was replaced with all instrument lights staying on with exception of fuel guage turning off. drove home and tried to start car a few hours later /.car started but this time check engine light is staying on took small drive again and upon pulling in to drive way everything was working except check engine light is staying on., so i was going to raise rpms to 3000 for the 10sec deal to make sure battery and car was warmed up enough before shutting down, as soon as I raised rpms to 3000 all the dash warning lights came on again .so i SHUT IT DOWN.It goes to the dealer in the morning . two dealers are both 20milesw by highway.,should I have it towed or drive it , what could this be .,any ideas. its scary when they all come on, when it happened earlier today besides losing gas gauge I didnt have power steering for awhile , car still has less than 19k , I cant imagine what it could be but the dealer does not stock alturnators and with the holiday next week , is the car save to drive with check engine light on. the manual says to get it checked at dealer but does not say not to drive., any help appreciated

EDZRIDE

iTrader: (1)

Check the tension on the alternator belt, (adjust if needed), then start the engine and check the alternator ouput @ the battery; should be 14.25 volts.

dug06824

after shutting down last night and seeing all warning lights come on again. car was dead this morning .......off to dealer..see pics below




http://picasaweb.google.com/DougN1LQS/RecentlyUpdated#

dug06824

just got the word ,I need a new alturnator which is coming from mazda, I couldnt find out if its improved or same as .lets see two batteries new alt .,is there any tsbs on alt s . Hope this lasts longer than the first one

Triperformance

There probably isn't any tsbs on alternators unless there having a mass amount of new cars needing a new battery from a low charge output. your alternator shouldn't be below 13.7v. Since you have indicator lights on I'm sure its not generating or allowing the power to go back to your battery. Enjoy your new alt and battery .

swoope

iTrader: (5)

sorry,

and you are where.. and odds on from all this it the alt is bad.

it should have not taken that long.

beers