Lack of Electrical Power/Trouble Starting
07-08-2012, 10:02 AM
#1
New Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Lack of Electrical Power/Trouble Starting
Hello, I've browsed to no avail to fix my problem, Originally the car had trouble starting, and knowing my 04 Mazda rx8 with the stock starter I figured it needed a new starter. I followed a guide on here to fix it but it is literally the identical result. So I wasted about 250 dollars on that, but at least it has a new one now.
It had the new starter for 3 days, and same problem, trouble starting, sometimes it won't start at all. No check engine light or anything. But I noticed something odd, when I turn the accy, to ignition to start the car, the lights on the dash go out, flicker sometimes, and the ac stops blowing air. When I put the key in, to accy now, the dash lights come on slowly.. maybe 5-6 seconds at a time. I turn the AC on from 0, to 1, (in intensity) and the lights on the dash go out, then take 5-6 seconds to turn on. I then can roll down the windows very slowly, and the dash lights are out, then turn on, when I finish rolling the window down. Obviously by now there is almost 100% an electrical problem then?
Recently, I DE-rusted and fixed up the battary terminals a little to provide a better connection. That helped just maybe 20-50% faster for start up, but I still have the same problem on battery drain.
Again, No CEL, no Battary light, etc.
Hopefully I have described well enough! Thanks in advance!
**UPDATE
Turns out the grounds are fine no matter what I do, the Multimeter said its time for a new battery. Bought a new battary and it fixed all the problems.
It had the new starter for 3 days, and same problem, trouble starting, sometimes it won't start at all. No check engine light or anything. But I noticed something odd, when I turn the accy, to ignition to start the car, the lights on the dash go out, flicker sometimes, and the ac stops blowing air. When I put the key in, to accy now, the dash lights come on slowly.. maybe 5-6 seconds at a time. I turn the AC on from 0, to 1, (in intensity) and the lights on the dash go out, then take 5-6 seconds to turn on. I then can roll down the windows very slowly, and the dash lights are out, then turn on, when I finish rolling the window down. Obviously by now there is almost 100% an electrical problem then?
Recently, I DE-rusted and fixed up the battary terminals a little to provide a better connection. That helped just maybe 20-50% faster for start up, but I still have the same problem on battery drain.
Again, No CEL, no Battary light, etc.
Hopefully I have described well enough! Thanks in advance!
**UPDATE
Turns out the grounds are fine no matter what I do, the Multimeter said its time for a new battery. Bought a new battary and it fixed all the problems.
Last edited by WMBRACING; 07-09-2012 at 02:15 AM. Reason: Fixed
07-08-2012, 12:13 PM
#7
New Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Changing the terminals to brand new ones, didn't work, changing the battery right now to a friends to see if my battery just kicked the bucket. Just trying to get possible causes that are the cheapest and quickest to fix out of the way.. thanks for the help though!
08-06-2012, 09:13 AM
#9
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It sounds like I'm having the same problem, but I doubt it is the battery. I turn on the accy, and things are normal. I try to start the car, and the lights start flickering. I can hear a clicking noise in the engine compartment. It sounds like its coming from the fuse box. I took the cover off of the fuse box and didn't notice anything out of the ordinary. I turned key to accy and listened to the fuse box. The clicking was coming from that area. I wiggled then entire fuse holder, heard a buzz, and things went to normal. I tried to start the car, and the electrical issue started again as indicated by the lights flickering and the clicking in the fuse box.
I had this happen a few weeks ago while trying to leave work. After the flickering occurred twice, I left the car off for 30 seconds. Upon retrying to start it, the car worked normally. It seems like this is an intermitten electrical problem that will be interesting to fix. I did check the battery terminals, and they are clean and tight. I'll keep you posted on details if I find anything. For now, I'm going to try to do some more searching on the forum.
I had this happen a few weeks ago while trying to leave work. After the flickering occurred twice, I left the car off for 30 seconds. Upon retrying to start it, the car worked normally. It seems like this is an intermitten electrical problem that will be interesting to fix. I did check the battery terminals, and they are clean and tight. I'll keep you posted on details if I find anything. For now, I'm going to try to do some more searching on the forum.
08-06-2012, 11:26 AM
#11
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I was also thinking of my recent time when this problem popped up. The traction control turned off, similar to when the battery is disconnected. However, the radio stations were still set, so I didn't loose power. Not sure if the traction control is related.
08-06-2012, 03:05 PM
#12
Rockie Mountain Newbie
Check all your ground wires leading off of the battery.
One of them is loose, causing the issue you are having.
Also make sure the positive wires are all tight, at each connection point.
BC.
One of them is loose, causing the issue you are having.
Also make sure the positive wires are all tight, at each connection point.
BC.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Mxttz0r
New Member Forum
34
07-05-2019 03:19 AM
