My 2003. Mazda 3 has been loosing power steering, abs brake warning light comes on, aircon coming on. Paid for a scan $125 saidneed to replace alternater. Second hand one plus courier, labour will cost $850. Does this sound ok or should I go get 2nd opinion. Thanks all advice appreciated.
ocean2000,
Feb 18, 8:13pm
Must mention love my car and want it running right. Woman owner!
kazbanz,
Feb 18, 8:15pm
ocean --That sounds pretty steep--are you sure its not just a dead/dying batery
lookin4ord,
Feb 18, 8:16pm
thats a total ripoff, what makes you think its faulty!
unbeatabull,
Feb 18, 8:24pm
Pretty sure they are the same engine as the mondeo of that era! Alternators do start giving troubles and have had similar problems, but certainly wasn't that expensive for a second hand genuine unit from our work. Who did you take it to for Diagnosing!
lookin4ord,
Feb 18, 8:27pm
is that including fitting cost
tonyrockyhorror,
Feb 18, 8:34pm
That's a rip off no matter what way you look at it.
Losing power steering. how is that related to the alternator! Is it an electric pump instead of mechanical! Even then it would be silly idea to have that relying directly on alternator power when there's a battery which is an accumulator.
ocean2000,
Feb 18, 8:35pm
In Rotorua - Zero to 1000.I bought it with 13,000km now uo to 60,000. Yep includes fitting
morrisman1,
Feb 18, 8:37pm
Are the computers on those capable of giving a proper diagnosis for an alternator! I would get it bench tested before you go replacing any expensive parts
tonyrockyhorror,
Feb 18, 8:43pm
Good point. I expect that, just like all those before them, the 'codes' are merely a starting point not a definitive diagnosis.
familiadude,
Feb 18, 9:21pm
If theyre anything like the 626 or capella before that era you have to remove other stuff eg driveshaft just to get the alternator out but yeah $850 is still a rip
pup2,
Feb 19, 5:47am
Air con coming on! Neverheard of that before with a faulty alt. Would take it to an auto electrical shop & get them to hook up a meter set & see what they say. 850 for removal & fitting of 2nd hand, check on hourly rates. Haven't done one yet, but that price is getting well up there. Good luck
rob_man,
Feb 19, 6:04am
Sounds like slipping belts to me.
guest,
Feb 19, 6:40am
It sounds like the alternator to me, modern cars are VERY susceptible to current fluctuations. $125 was a lot for a scan which makes me think you've got a garage with a very high labour rate, hence the overall price might not be so bad.
incar.,
Feb 19, 7:02am
$125 for a scan! $850 Is a total ripp off, get the numbers off the alternator I'll locate one for you
intrade,
Feb 19, 7:14am
did the car stop normally when the alternator is poked the battery light on dash comes on and it will drain the battery till there is not enough charge and then it spits coughs and stalls and thats it flat battery. So take a multimeter out and mesure the voltage of your battery, if it is 12.65 volt or higher then your alternator is not faulty at all and you need a secound opinion for sure in that case.
next-to-normal,
Feb 19, 8:43am
some mechanics are so dodgy creatures, there should be more setups to catch those theives out, your battery light would come on if alt was faulty,most likey your battery on the way out if its 5 years oldish.find an honest mechanic.
next-to-normal,
Feb 19, 8:43am
some mechanics are so dodgy creatures, there should be more setups to catch those theives out, your battery light would come on if alt was faulty,most likey your battery on the way out if its 5 years oldish.find an honest mechanic.,your warning lights could just be a fault,with themselves
kazbanz,
Feb 19, 8:53am
Tony --a lot of cars now have some form of EPS (electric power steering) Trouble is what the OP describes as the symptoms of a dead alt to me sound like a dead battery. even the AC thing in some cars.-dunno why or how but when you connect up a jumper battery or put a new battery in then the AC starts blasting away -not in manual dial type AC but the more fancy push button auto type.
jasongroves,
Feb 19, 9:25am
Ask an auto sparky nicely to check your battery and alternator. Only takes a few minutes and is generally free.
bigfatmat1,
Feb 19, 9:44am
I think the computer regulates the alternator on that model so in short yes There is just a dummy reg inside the alt instead of your usual sence and warning light terminals it will have p,d,f,m$850 does not sound excessive if the alt did need repalcing.
rlr29,
Feb 19, 2:21pm
If the alt. is twisted or shit beyond repair, the belts could be slipping of falling off = No PS.
pup2,
Feb 19, 2:39pm
Is that the same set-up as the ford focus!
ocean2000,
Feb 19, 3:28pm
Thank you all. I will go get secon opinion of auto electrician before I go any further. Great advice , although some of it bit tacky for me. THANX again
unbeatabull,
Feb 19, 3:28pm
$850 including fitting is fair enough on those cars, have to remove scuttle panel and loosen R/F Shock/Strut tower to get out.
I'd still be a lil suspect on the diagnosis though. As someone else mentioned, sounds a lot more like a Slipping belt then the Alternator going.
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