Battery Light Flashing *NEW/UPDATED*

[TRUE]

okay sorry, the other battery light flashing post is not the problem im having, i was just gonna piggy back off of it, but on my own post i can be more specific!

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Problem:
Upon mid to high RPM's my cars battery light will flash (probally for a maximum of 2 seconds, then it dissapears) OR at mid to high RPMS when I go to shift, INSTANTLY after I push the clutch in, the battery light flashes then goes away right after. When i drive slowly, not granny driving but just slower, i do not have an issue/battery light.

What could be the reason for this?

(the MAF and IAT wires appear to be fine, not severed, i DO have an intake and the maf wire tube has been unclipped from the battery, so it has slack)
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[TRUE]

i believe it may be the alternator, just from reading other peoples post, my friend can get me an alternator from belle tire for $120. The battery was replaced winter of '09, so i really dont think thats the issue either!

UPDATE: went to auto zone and they tested the alternator. what they did was basically hook up the battery to this little device and said the alternator was fine, by doing some energy draws or something like that.... i still think it could be the alternator because it only does it at certain times, not all the time so that little device wouldnt catch it. any thoughts?

 

[TRUE]

bump! help please

 

[flash75]

Is your battery belt tight? If not sure check it and adjust if it's loose. A loose belt can cause the problem.

Clifton

 

[mjstew]

i would bet its the serpentine belt...try spraying armor all (yes, armor all, belt dressing only makes problems worse) on the serpentine belt while the car is idling. then take her out and get it up to the high rpms and see what happens. if the issue subsides for some time, its probably the belt.

when the battery light comes on, its usually an indication that somewhere, supply from the alternator or battery is being cut off...

 

[TRUE]

thanks for all the input guys! if i spray armor all on the serptine belt and tighten the belt if loose and the problem DOES go away, am i good to go? or should i get a new belt?

 

[hat1018]

I would get a new belt. Once you have trouble with a serp. belt it usually continues until it breaks then you will really be screwed dependeng what all that belt runs, pwr strng., alt., watr pmp., especially water pump you have no idea how fast you will over heat.

 

[sil03protege]

Did you test your battery yet?

I am pretty certain it is the alternator, if the place you took it to test a load on the alternator said it was ok did they actually tell you at what how much Amperage is used when they actually apply the load?

If the car dies on your while driving it is your battery, otherwise get it checked out again because you can end up killing both battery and alternator.

 

[TRUE]

Did you test your battery yet?

I am pretty certain it is the alternator, if the place you took it to test a load on the alternator said it was ok did they actually tell you at what how much Amperage is used when they actually apply the load?

If the car dies on your while driving it is your battery, otherwise get it checked out again because you can end up killing both battery and alternator.

im sorry you kind of lost me.

 

[TRUE]

UPDATE: We hooked up my brothers MSD Dashhawk to my car, and every time when driving when my cars voltage hits 12.13 - 12.20 the battery light would flash! every time with in those areas! any thoughts?

im narrowing down to its the alternator! (i would think a maf wire wouldnt make the light go off at that voltage EVERY time)

 

[mjstew]

if its the alternator, it sounds odd that a problem would occur at such a specific range on an alternator, but it's always possible...

i hate to say it, but i'd go in to a dealer and have them take a look at it... if nothing else, call up the service department and ask them about it, as horrible as they are on prices, they really do know their stuff when it comes to our little cars

 

[TRUE]

well they look at it for free? or is just having them pop the hood gonna cost? because im reading everywhere, people saying it sounds like the alternator and it not giving it the correct voltage

 

[hat1018]

My semi educated guess is alternator. It seems as though the voltage regulator (most likely internal) is giving up.

 

[TRUE]

yeah... thats what everyone is saying, and thats what i feel it is! because its always at that amout of voltage. a maf wire wouldnt do it at a certain voltage, it would do it everytime the wire is pulled on, which is mainly on take offs or down shiftin,etc.

 

[TRUE]

UPDATE: well, i bought an alternator. all signs seems to be leadin that way! i went home on my lunch break from work and got the old one out, will put the new one in tonight! pray for me all, that this resolves the issue kinda pricey, but i cant have the mazdarati limping!!

 

[mjstew]

good luck with the alternator...hope that resolves your issue...

if that doesn't though...ive always had good luck with the dealerships, theyve always been very upfront with me and have been willing to take a good look at the car and see what the issue is without charging...the only time they will charge is if they cant figure out the problem and they need to run an in depth diagnosis.

hope this helps

 

[TRUE]

thanks man! it will in Jesus name so no need for the dealership

 

[mjstew]

always for the best...dealers are good and all but they're just too pricey... some girl backed into my car and i was pricing the repairs, and i called the dealership for a price on just a side reflector and they quoted $125 for a 3 inch piece of reflective plastic

 

[TRUE]

wow thats rediculous! did you get new reflectors? if you dint, you can get crystal ones at the speedline - http://www.thespeedline.us/servlet/the-113/02-pls--Mazda3-Crystal-Short/Detail for $30 plus shipping! (i got them on my car, there very nice!)

Update: well the new alternator is installed and ready to go! i fired up the car and everything seems to be running smoothly, and no lights! i havent got to drive it yet because it was raining when we finished, but later today i will and update after that!

 

[mjstew]

yeah i wanted the crystal reflectors, but the body shop told me insurance wont pay for that item since its not stock, so im stuck getting the stock ones put on...ill upgrade soon though

funny enough, since my car is in the shop i had to get a rental, and the guy told me i'd probably end up with a crashbox toyota yaris, when i went to pick up my rental on thursday i begged for something other than a yaris (95 HP) so they gave me a 2010 mazda3. im pretty satasfied with hertz right now