Has my MX-5 battery died ?

[MikeDB1]

My 2019 Mk4 doesn't get used much over the winter but I start it regularly and give it a quick charge and has been okay other winters.

But this time I get the i-Stop flashing and the Stability Control light on, and the start light flashes continuously.

Local (non Mazda) garage cleared them but they came back straight away so they suggested the battery might be weak. But it starts the car fine every time with no sluggishness, and a full charge didn't change things. I've tried the holding i-Stop for several seconds then turn on, and the moving the steering wheel from full left to right lock then back again but nothing clears.

Mazda garage charges £90 just to look at anything and they are beyond useless so I'd prefer to fix it myself or at my local garage.

Anybody else seen the same problem ?

Thanks in advance

[Belle427]

Get the ɓattery tested, halfords used to do it free of charge.

[fido]

Traction control light is the first warning of a failing battery ..

[MikeDB1]

Yes I had the battery tested at a tyre place and they said it was fine (possibly because they didn't stock a replacement anyway) but went ahead and bought a new one from Mazda and the parts guy said these are always dying. Fitted it and at first no difference but the lights eventually went out after a week.

I am never buying a Mazda again !!

[Mr-B]

MikeDB1 said:

Yes I had the battery tested at a tyre place and they said it was fine (possibly because they didn't stock a replacement anyway) but went ahead and bought a new one from Mazda and the parts guy said these are always dying. Fitted it and at first no difference but the lights eventually went out after a week.

I am never buying a Mazda again !!

I wouldn't say it's a Mazda thing. Just looking through the posts on PH it seems to afflict a lot of modern cars so reliant on lots of electronic technology which seems to drain batteries more than older cars with less tech.

[MikeDB1]

Mr-B said:

I wouldn't say it's a Mazda thing. Just looking through the posts on PH it seems to afflict a lot of modern cars so reliant on lots of electronic technology which seems to drain batteries more than older cars with less tech.

Yes but the Mazda electronics have rejected a perfectly good battery that started the car every time, but possibly had a slightly low cranking voltage. It wasn't as though the starter motor was chugging over or anything. And of course it's a unique size and hence costs twice what a normal battery costs.

But agree it may be all new cars are just as fussy - helps bring business to their dealers. The manual says when those lights come on to take it to an authorised Mazda dealer straight away. No mention that a change of battery will fix it.

[Panamax]

MikeDB1 said:

But agree it may be all new cars are just as fussy - helps bring business to their dealers. The manual says when those lights come on to take it to an authorised Mazda dealer straight away. No mention that a change of battery will fix it.

You're rocking an unnecessarily negative vibe.

Battery has two jobs, (1) delivering voltage to run the car (supported by the alternator), and (2) delivering a high current to turn the starter.

Things like electronic ignition, fuel injection and ABS have been around for many decades and all require sufficient voltage to run properly. Typically more than 9 volts, which allows a huge margin below the usual 12 volts.

When the starter is cranked the current it draws will cause a voltage drop at the battery. With a strong battery the voltage doesn't drop very much. With a weaker battery the voltage will drop significantly. With a knackered battery the voltage will drop so far the car's electronics can't run properly and you'll get error messages.

Sticking a knackered battery on charge won't turn it into a good battery.

A new battery will show around 12.7 volts at the terminals. A good battery should be around, say, 12.6 volts. If you test the voltage of a battery that's been charged and left to settle overnight, anything under 12.4 volts is a battery that's on the way out.

Best way to look after your car's battery is to drive the car regularly. Personally, I think it makes more sense to spend money on batteries than on chargers. However, if a car is going to be parked up or little used a decent battery tender is the way to go.

[MikeDB1]

It was 12.6 volts off load. And dropped to 10.8 on cranking. That to me is still a good battery, albeit not brand new. And in any case if there is a weak battery it should just say "Weak battery", not flash random other lights.

[TVRees]

Maybe you should have considered buying a TOP quality battery to replace the dodgy one.

[Matt_E_Mulsion]

The way I see it, you've got a battery that is four years old that has had a hard life in that it hasn't been used in the way it is designed to be.

Starting it up over the winter and just letting it idle and putting it on charge now and again is not the way to keep a battery in good shape. If that is how you use the car then you'll probably have to accept that putting a new battery in every few years will become a necessity.

[renmure]

My 2018 MX5 threw a couple of warning lights last week just as I parked it up at home then I found it totally dead and lifeless a day or so later. Halfords had an offer that made it a similar price as having one delivered by Amazon and all was well again.

[MikeDB1]

renmure said:

My 2018 MX5 threw a couple of warning lights last week just as I parked it up at home then I found it totally dead and lifeless a day or so later. Halfords had an offer that made it a similar price as having one delivered by Amazon and all was well again.

I looked on their site and couldn't find one the right size that supported i-stop. Seems Mazda has a monopoly on this size for the Mk4, but it's made by Yuesa so should be good quality.

However I still think 4 years isn't a good life for a battery that's kept charged. My Impreza battery is eight years old and is used in a very similar manner. Indeed with more people working from home (I have for 22 years) it's going to become far more common for cars to not be used every day.

[harryw66]

Hi @MikeDB1
Dont suppose your car is suffering from the following issue https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[MikeDB1]

harryw66 said:

Hi @MikeDB1
Dont suppose your car is suffering from the following issue https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Oddly enough I had to have a new instrument cluster under warranty as the original one died after nine months. But it's a 2019 car so shouldn't be suffering this. Thanks for mentioning it though.