Well, last night was an adventure to say the least!
I left a XdeedubbX's house last night and when I started my car I was hearing a strange clicking type noise. NgoRX8, xdeedubbx, and I popped the hood and the noise seemed to be coming from the belt section.
It was tough to pinpoint as it was dark and freezing outside.

When I got in the car, I noticed my Battery light was illuminated so I knew something was wrong. The battery light usually indicates a problem with the car battery or the Alternator is out.
I thought I could make it home but it was not to be.

On the freeway I plugged in my AcessPORT and the voltage was already too low; 11.7. As I kept driving, the voltage kept dropping and I eventualyl decided it was no long wise to keep driving in the car's current state. Even though there was no CEL on, I asked the AP to pull codes and it came up with P2503 Charging system voltage low. (See DTC P2503 )


Now the quesiton becomes: What exactly went wrong...
By the time the tow truck showed up, my battery voltage was registering @ 8.9 volts (I was pulled over at a Gas Station by this time)
The battery is an Optima YellowTop, been there for about 2 years, the car currently has 52,000 miles on it.
I'm leaning more towards alternator at this point but I won't know until I run a few tests. I'll try and recharge the battery tonight and I've read that you can take a multi-meter to test the alternator. Anyone have more details on that one?


Anyways: here's how my night ended. Always a gut wrenching feeling as you watch your car get loaded onto a tow truck

 

Sounds like alternator, i had the same happen to a few other cars. Is there a generic autoparts store near you? Pepboys by me does $100 brand new Alt if you trade yours in.

 

Well atleast your car wasn't getting towed because you ran out of gas. So embarassing.

 

I would say it's the alternator. Judging by the Volts that were diminishing.
Looks like you'll be buying a new one.

 

i went through the exact same scenario, and yeah it did turn out to be the alternator. Luckily i still had warranty.

 

Thanks guy, nice to hear I'm not the only one thinking it's a bad alternator.
Since my neighbor borrowed my battery charger years ago and subsequently moved out, I'm now in the market for a new one.

This one looks nifty, even says it can test the alternator. Thoughts?
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...s+%26+Boosters

 

bwahahaha

 

i got reimbursed by my insurance company for getting towed 1.2 miles to the gas station ($84 )..

when I called roadside assistance I told them I just need some gas.. they proceeded to send a crappy old tow truck INSTEAD of the gas I needed.. i kindly told the guy to GTFO.. then they sent a flatbed.

 

you mean your fancy schmancy carputer didn't tell you that you were low on fuel? Maybe you should set one of the gauges to 'fuel level'.
Sorry alz0rz, couldn't resist.

Alright, now back to alternators and battery chargers. These damn alternators are pricey little bastards.
www.onlinemazdaparts.com sells it for $413

 

Alternator's an easy diagnosis...It will either work properly , or it won't.........check the connections though

 

and unfortunately they are the cheapest place to go

lmk

 

60 bucks

http://www.pamsauto.com/pc-342324-13...rx8-04-07.aspx


98 bucks for a refurbed on ebay once you send you're old one back: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MAZDA...toreQQtcZphoto

 

Verify with a known-good battery first.

Optimas are crap.

You might have one or more shorted cells, which will bring down the whole charging system.

I have an extra alternator here if you want to borrow one to verify the failure.

 

dont' have a spare battery. What if I throw the charger on there?
MM: recommend taking the battery to be tested?

As far the alternator: thanks for the offer, I might take you up on it. I'll keep you posted.

 

If you have an "intelligent" charger, it might show the fault.
Testing the battery is usually free at Autozone or wherever.

I have yet to see an RX-8 alternator go bad, but it could happen.

 

see the sears link in post 6. thinking of getting that one since it seems semi-intelligent.
I'll try and charge tonight with that thing and then take the battery to AutoZone to get it tested

 

That charger is probably over-kill.
A new battery is cheaper.

I use one of those $60 boxes from Autozone, which does some of the same things.

 

ive never looked - is the voltage regulator a separate item like it used to be in ford's or is it integral to the alternator? either way it could be that and just that bit may be replaceable.

 

its internal

 

ok thanks getready. so pull it off open it up replace the voltage regulator and put it all back.

 

The rebuild kit for the alternator is as expensive as a new one.
The feedback loop is controlled by the PCM, anyway.

 

dam sorry to hear that jorge....but your car does look cool on that flatbed though..hahah i hope your car feels better real soon.

 

Jedi, and you call Xdeed a true friend. any how i hope your problems are resolved soon friend.

 

FLATBED??? lol. jk, its ur alternator!! autozone testers always give random readings!!

 

well that sucks