1996 Mazda 626 180k - Persistent Beeping & Power problem

JLAWLIS

MEMBER
1996 MAZDA 626

Please help!

I woke up this morning and the battery was dead. I jumped the car and it started right up. I ran it for a while and during that time I noticed the persistent beeping. It's the same sound that it makes when the door is ajar. None of the doors were open. I can close all of the doors and it will continue to beep.
After about 10 minutes of idle, I shut it off and tried to restart. It would not start. The dome light would come on (but seems like it's dying), but otherwise I get nothing. I don't know if the beeping is a clue as to why it won't hold a charge or if it is a separate issue.
If further information is needed, I will be happy to comply.

5 Replies

COSMO

MECHANIC
347 POSTS

Hmmmm. Try removing the 'Room' fuse in the interior fuse box and see if it is doing the same thing.

Let me know whta it does after that

Cosmo. Mazda TEch

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Tuesday, January 30th, 2007 AT 5:02 PM

JLAWLIS

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Okay, I didn't try to remove any fuses because I didn't really have time, but I wanted to see if it would charge if I took it on a little drive.
Once I returned I found that there was a small amount of charge still in the battery, but it didn't appear to have enough juice to turn over. Does this sound like a battery or alternator issue? It seems like it would be an alternator issue, but I'm not sure.

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Tuesday, January 30th, 2007 AT 11:33 PM

COSMO

MECHANIC
347 POSTS

IT sounds more like a dead batteryto me. Trying to 'charge' a battery with the alt. Is not the proper operation of the alternator. The alt. Only 'tops-up' the battery. It will never bring a totally dead battery back to life.

Try having your battery checked. I bet you will find that one or more of the cells are dead. If so, have it replaced and THEN check the charging system. Checking the charging system with a dead battery will give you false readings about your alternator operation

Cosmo. Mazda TEch

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Wednesday, January 31st, 2007 AT 5:57 AM

JLAWLIS

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Well, I bought a battery charger and tried to charge the battery overnight. Things didn't work out very well. In the morning, I was unable to get the car to start. I jumped it and took it down the the auto shop. They tested the battery and, of course, it was dead. I bought a new battery and installed it in the parking lot. After that, I had them test the battery & the alternator. It looks like the battery was the problem because everything else checked out great.
I know this probably wasn't a very challenging question, but I appreciate the time you took to answer it. I don't have any extra cash right now, but as soon as I get my next paycheck I will be donating to this site. You guys are great!

Thanks for all of your help.

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Friday, February 2nd, 2007 AT 11:50 AM

COSMO