I can always count on you guys for some good pointers...THANK YOU!
I believe the main problem started a few years back when the original alternator went. I had the alternator and battery replaced at the same time. I'm not sure why parts are so ridiculously expensive from Mazda Canada dealers. I actually order parts from Mazda USA and pay HALF the price!! Anyway, a new alternator here was something like $400 and up. Someone even mentioned $600. So I had the mechanic install a rebuilt as I could not wait for shipping from the USA. Well, there where so many problems with these rebuilt that I either kept finding myself stranded or my mechanic would keep sending the alternators back because a thread was stripped and he couldn't install them. So...like 5 alternators later, I got one that didn't give me any problems. The next winter, I had problems again and had the battery replaced. About 8 months later, I had my engine replaced from one of those shops that imports engines from Japan (God, the word escapes me at this hour). Anyway, the mechanics that installed the new engine told me they'll look at certain parts from my old engine and the new one they'd install and install whichever parts were in better condition. They gave me a call and told me my alternator was no good (surprise, surprise) and suggested I have them install an original Mazda still in great shape. So I did. So I think it's just the battery this time. There where blue deposits around the positive terminal. Maybe the older alternators screwed my battery. Will get it checked maybe tomorrow....
