There are reports that the replacement alternators will not communicate with the engine computer and will not charge correctly. I recommend using only the manufacturer approved replacement part. It can be new or remanufactured but approved for use in the vehicle. Some lower cost alternators on the aftermarket will have charging problems since they will not communicate with the ECM on the vehicle and will stop charging.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
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Charging System Warning Indication/Warning Light
If the warning light illuminates while driving, it indicates a malfunction of the alternator or of the charging system. Drive to the side of the road and park off the right-of-way. Consult an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Like plenty of other gas-powered vehicles, the Mazda3 uses a 12-volt battery.
Carquest Professional – Alternator: New, 100 Amps (Part No. 11168AN)
The voltage should be between 13.0–15.0 volts. If the alternator does not produce voltage within this range there is a problem in the charging system. Have the system further tested by a Mazda qualified automotive technician.
When the engine is running, your battery should clock in at somewhere between 13.7 and 14.7 volts.
A good alternator should maintain battery voltage between 13.9 and 14.8 volts (14.2 is optimum). Even worst-case, with all accessories turned on, there should be at least 13 volts at the battery.
Look for an ideal alternator reading of around 12.6. Start the car, and look for a reading of between 14.2 and 14.7. A reading of over 14.7 means the battery is being overcharged, while a reading under 14.2 means the alternator is undercharging the battery.
Mazda 3 Alternator | Mazda OEM Part Number L548-18-300R-0B.
While the size of your fuse depends on the amperage of your alternator, you should generally select a fuse that can handle more amperage than your alternator is able to output. For example, if your alternator outputs 200 amps, you should choose a fuse that`s no less than 200 amps.
Alternator ratings range from about 60 or 70 amps up to 150 amps or more on many late-model vehicles. Some high-output alternators can generate upward of 200 amps. The amp rating of the alternator is matched to the vehicle`s electrical system.
A fully charged battery should read over 12.6 volts. The actual output voltage produced by the alternator will typically be about 1-1/2 to 2 volts higher than battery voltage. At idle, most charging systems will produce 13.8 to 14.3 volts with no lights or accessories on.
Use a voltmeter to check your alternator; rev your engine to 2000 RPM, keep the engine running, and test the battery with the voltmeter. If your voltage goes from ~12.2 V to ~13-14.5 V, your alternator is doing well. If your V stays the same or decreases, that`s a bad sign.
In most cases, the voltage regulator (which is located inside the alternator housing) is replaced in conjunction with the alternator.
Energizer E90 N Alkaline 1.5 Volt Battery (12-Pack)
When the probes touch the terminals while the car is off and the battery is resting, the multimeter display should show a reading of 12.2 to 12.6 volts (full charge). This voltage range means the battery is in good condition for starting the vehicle.
Fully-charged, most car batteries will measure at least 12.6 volts (~13.0-13.2V for OPTIMA YELLOWTOPs), but low voltage doesn`t necessarily equal a bad battery. Modern cars are very demanding from an electrical perspective, even when they`re not being used.
The battery terminal charging voltage must be less than 14.7 volts to prevent excessive gassing. Charging voltages over 14.7 volts can prematurely dry the battery by boiling out electrolyte, and increase risk of a battery hydrogen gas explosion.
Those batteries that are used in deep discharge cycling mode can be charged up to 2.45 volts/cell (14.7V for a 12V battery) to get the highest charge rate, as long as the volt- age is dropped to the float voltage when the charge is complete.
An average car battery has a capacity of around 48 amp hours; when fully charged, it delivers 1 amp for 48 hours, two amps for 24 hours, and so on.
One of the most common problems you`re likely to experience with an alternator is a failure in the bearings. There are needle bearings in the alternator that allow the rotor to freely spin inside the housing, and those bearings can break down over time as a result of exposure to heat and dirt.
The alternator on your Mazda 3 is what provides power to your vehicle when the engine is running.
Most Mazda 3`s have 1 or 2 drive belts and in some instances, it may be called a serpentine belt. The belt needs to be flexible to circulate across pulleys and can be made out of perishable compositions like rubber, neoprene or urethane. The drive belt belt/s is positioned on pulleys and operates under tension.
The positive and negative cables are small and connected to the respective terminals of the battery. The alternator also shows a connection with the `battery charging wire.