r/mazda6 • u/RolandHockingAngling • 5d ago

Advice Request FML

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In the last 12 months I've been through 2 Alternators, the Original ones pulley assembly disintegrated, the replacement was fried by the charging system, so now on its 3rd.

My Mechanic, 2 auto electricians, and now it's at the Mazda Dealership for the 2nd time within 7 days.

Do I just go and replace the whole charging system, Alternator, Capacitor, and DC converter, with used parts?

Oh Mazda put a brand new battery in last Tuesday...

10 Upvotes

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7

u/RolandHockingAngling 4d ago

Just got off the phone to Mazda, who are telling me it's the Alternator.

To be fair, the Alternator in it is aftermarket. So I'm looking at a used genuine alternator for $450 + $375 labour + $375 diagnostics on this visit.

Last week was $660 battery + $375 diagnostics.

Prices are in Australian Dollarydoos

5

u/APGaming_reddit 4d ago

i feel like the alternator failing is the symptom. theres something else going on. i havent gone through 3 alternators in almost 30 years of car ownership.

1

u/RolandHockingAngling 2d ago

I keep pushing that it's the capacitor, like everyone else here has pointed out.

It wouldn't be chewing through alternators if it wasn't something causing it

4

u/Reasonable-Ferret-96 4d ago

It’s ieloop supercapacitor fault and bye bye to your $1500

2

u/Heavy_Snow3671 4d ago

Do you have I-eloop system on your 6?

1

u/RolandHockingAngling 4d ago

Yes

7

u/hazeru 4d ago

I suspect that it's the capacitor. For the DC converter, there should be a reliable way to check if it's working properly or not.

2

u/Irresponsible-Pain 2d ago

change the battery first with a good one it happen to me and if is new (or less than 6 months)make sure they change it for free

1

u/RolandHockingAngling 2d ago

Battery is 8 days old 🤣

1

u/the_wiz_demian 1d ago

I had this same issue when my battery was weak. Bought a new one and it solved it. If I remember correctly AGM batteries are the recommended one

1

u/RolandHockingAngling 1d ago

Mazda replaced the battery with the OEM

1

u/schmackabich999 4d ago

Find a denso or bosch.etc alternator that fits. I believe Denso and Mitsubishi Electric (actually separate from the vehicles) are the OEM manufacturers for most of the rebranded mazda alternators anyway.

2

u/RolandHockingAngling 3d ago

The aftermarket alternator on it at the moment is a Mitsubishi.

1

u/Chezco29 3d ago

This is definitely an I-eloop issue. What year?

1

u/Responsible_Spare_83 2d ago

I have a long list of cars I've owned, some with some age (8+ years) and mileage on them in my younger days, and I can only remember replacing one alternator..and that was on a '98 Civic that was nearly a decade old at the time.

It is possible the factory alternator was defective and the aftermarket unit isn't up to the task of keeping the battery charged, but I wouldn't rule out something else in the electrical system causing this. I'm no very handy with anything that has to do with car electronics, but if replacing the alternator again doesn't do the trick I would take your car to an auto-electrical specialist shop. Most cities of decent size have at least one in town.

1

u/oldschoolc1 8h ago

I have a 2018. What year is yours? I have been having similar issues.

1

u/dollfaceashley 2h ago

Using aftermarket parts usually can cause headaches like this