• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

YACT: Alternator/"Charging System" problems

PricklyPete

PricklyPete

Lifer
Ok, my sister is having a problem with her car and I woud like to help her out. She has a '98 Mazda Millenia (2.5L engine... i.e. not the miller cycle engine). Anyway, she is getting the "Charging System" light occasionally. She had taken the car into a local place and they said that the alternator needed to be replaced. She checked with Mazda and they said that the light often means a problem with the altenator. So she went ahead and had the local place replace the alternator. Problem is that the light has come back on less than a week since they have done the fix.

Other than the light coming on, she has not experienced any problems with the car. Also, the alternator belt has been replaced recently (by mazda) and seems fine (not squealling and the belt seems to be in good condition). Is there anything else that I can take a look at for diagnostic reasons? Does the ECU ever record anything more detailed for the "charging system" light the way it will for the check engine light?

Thanks for any help.
 
Have her take the car down to a reliable mechanic and have them plug the car into the computer. the computer should print out codes if anything is wrong. it may cost a couple hundreds dollars, i dunno on her type of car. but be warned, the computer may think everything is fine and something still maybe wrong, you may want to contact mazda and ask them why the light would come on again. it could be that the local shop didnt replace the wires correctly for the "charging light". i dunno for sure though. good luck man
 
Originally posted by: scorpmatt
Have her take the car down to a reliable mechanic and have them plug the car into the computer. the computer should print out codes if anything is wrong. it may cost a couple hundreds dollars, i dunno on her type of car. but be warned, the computer may think everything is fine and something still maybe wrong, you may want to contact mazda and ask them why the light would come on again. it could be that the local shop didnt replace the wires correctly for the "charging light". i dunno for sure though. good luck man
Click to expand...

Thanks. I could try calling Mazda again to see if they can give me any more insight.
 
Mazda charging systems are very complex and it's most likely something other than the alternator. I would have it diagnosis properly and then assess whether you can repair it yourself or let the dealership take care of it.
 
The annoying thing is that my sister has noticed anything wrong with the car...just that the light is coming on. She really just wants to drive it until she notices some type of problem occuring. What is the worst that can happen if you let a Alternator/charging system just die? Being stranded? Could you damage the engine or any eletrical components?
 
I did look up on e-toolbox to see if there were any TSBs on the Mazda and none were shown.

I'm not contesting Quix. You could temporarily hook-up a voltmeter to a switched hot
wire and when the light does come on, see what it reads. On older cars and trucks,
SOMETIMES when the system reaches full charge there CAN BE a momentary feed back causing the light to come on for a brief time.

If you got the time and she is willing try it. It maybe something she can live with...
:sun:
 
Disconnect the negative battery terminal, (remove the keys from the ignition) disconnect the bolted electrical connector at the back of the alternator, clean the connector with emery cloth until you see shiny metal, reattach connector, disconnect the multi pin plastic connector at the back of the alternator, clean with electrical contact cleaner, reattach, reattach battery terminal, start vehicle.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top