Battery Help (Alfa for your time)

"Tom McParland" (tommcparland)
02/18/2015 at 10:32 • Filed to: battery, mazda3, Alfa

I bugged Tokuro about this, but figured I would post here as well. So on Monday my Mazda would not start just did the click-click-click. Jumped the car and ran fine. This morning, did the same thing, click-click no start. The car has always struggled with super cold starts like 14 deg or below. It's a 2010 so the battery is 5 years old, so I'm thinking just replace it. Unless you think it could be something else. Keep in mind my GTI is coming in a few months so I'm not trying to drop all kinds of money on this thing, just looking for a quick fix to hold me over.

DISCUSSION (18)

yamahog > Tom McParland
02/18/2015 at 10:35

My money's on the battery as well, I'd have it checked.

Tom McParland > yamahog
02/18/2015 at 10:36

Thanks

thebigbossyboss > Tom McParland
02/18/2015 at 10:37

Battery shot. You can check the cells, maybe one is low on water. If you don't feel like taking the caustic battery apart for something that probably won't fix it, you have to get a new battery. 5 years about typical battery life anyways.

505Turbeaux > Tom McParland
02/18/2015 at 10:37

battery or you have a bad power or ground lead, maybe loose connections. Find an Interstate Battery distributor and put an "Econo Power" in it, which is pretty much a refreshed used battery with no warranty. Should be under $40 bucks

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > Tom McParland
02/18/2015 at 10:37

I'm with Yama, check the battery. But I'd check the alternator as well, you never know what sub zero temps could do to electrical equipment

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Tom McParland
02/18/2015 at 10:38

Yep that's a battery alright.

'Wägen, EPA LOL > Tom McParland
02/18/2015 at 10:39

Battery or slow draw. The computer they use at places like AutoZone should diagnose either. Trickle charger may be in order.

crowmolly > Tom McParland
02/18/2015 at 10:39

Yup, battery.

Even if it's "only" 5 years old, if it's the original battery it is probably gone.

Meatcoma > Tom McParland
02/18/2015 at 10:42

So it ran for two days with no problem after jumping it?

CKeffer > Tom McParland
02/18/2015 at 10:45

Yup, sounds like a batt issue to me. 5yrs is a good run for a battery, especially one that sees really hot or cold weather on a regular basis.

As Du Volant > Tom McParland
02/18/2015 at 10:49

Advance Auto or Autozone will check the battery for free and install the replacement for free if you need to buy one. They can also do a free charging system test to make sure the culprit isn't the alternator. Sure sounds like it's just the battery though, 5 years old plus failing in extreme cold weather is a pretty textbook case.

P1800stilinpieces > Tom McParland
02/18/2015 at 10:54

Agreed it is the battery but I like the Autozone Gold as they sometimes have a couple more Cold Cranking Amps than lesser versions. 04-08 Acura TSX's have the undersized 51R (reversed terminal) batteries which barely work in the cold so any CCA's are helpful. As an added bonus the Gold series (if they still make them) are made by Johnson Controls in the USA. I think a larger Series 35 battery will fit with minor modification to the Acura but I am lazy. If you live in a really cold climate you might want to see if a larger battery fits your battery box and can be adequately secured.

SantaRita > Tom McParland
02/18/2015 at 10:58

sounds like battery, sorry to validate. especially in cold, they get screwed.

P1800stilinpieces > P1800stilinpieces
02/18/2015 at 11:17

Sorry the Gold Series is Advance Auto Parts

Textured Soy Protein > Tom McParland
02/18/2015 at 11:21

Do what I did when I was about to get rid of my old '99 Grand Cherokee and the battery started to go out: buy a cheap jump start box . It'll hold you over until you get rid of the Mazda, and once you do get rid of the Mazda you'll still have the jump start box, instead of giving away whatever you spent on a cheap replacement battery.

Biggus Dickus (RevsBro) > Tom McParland
02/18/2015 at 11:47

The click-click-click can be a sign of an aging starter motor/solenoid, but those tend to have issues in extreme humidity/damp conditions.

I'm saying this because my jeep's solenoid and starter went bad on me a few months ago and it gave all the signs of a dead battery at first. How old is your Mazda?

desertdog5051 > Tom McParland
02/18/2015 at 12:57

Check around for a "rebuilt" battery. They take the cases and put new guts in them. Cheaper than a "new" battery.

brianbrannon > Tom McParland
02/18/2015 at 19:47

Buy a new battery and save the old one and put it back in when the new car comes