Battery drain, cannot be fixed at the dealeraship
Banned
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 484
Likes: 3
From: Northern Illinois
Yes, I've done extensive electrical troubling shooting on various electrical equipment that I'm familiar with and was trained for.
And like most retired (and some still working people) many of my degrees, training and certifications are now well dated in this year of 2025.
Meaning, aside from those I kept up on, I have zero knowledge of the current procedures to follow.
When I have nothing to go on the first thing I check is the power source, which in this case is the battery, which was never done by the OP.
Like most here, I have minimal knowledge on the modern motor vehicle electrical systems and also like most here, zero training on it.
I'm advising that no matter how skilled anyone thinks they are, without the proper updated training and experience you are simply "winging it" based on your past knowledge, that may or may not be applicable.
That generally never ends with the outcome we all want.
Which is why I find reputable service technician/shop/dealership/garage to do the motor vehicle work they are trained and qualified to do which I am not. (they are not taking advantage of people)
Plus, at my age I can only manage to work at a desktop level which is why I keep my computer certifications/training up to date.
But not for much longer as I think I'll only need one more new computer before I spend eternity on the Dark Side of the Moon.
And like most retired (and some still working people) many of my degrees, training and certifications are now well dated in this year of 2025.
Meaning, aside from those I kept up on, I have zero knowledge of the current procedures to follow.
When I have nothing to go on the first thing I check is the power source, which in this case is the battery, which was never done by the OP.
Like most here, I have minimal knowledge on the modern motor vehicle electrical systems and also like most here, zero training on it.
I'm advising that no matter how skilled anyone thinks they are, without the proper updated training and experience you are simply "winging it" based on your past knowledge, that may or may not be applicable.
That generally never ends with the outcome we all want.
Which is why I find reputable service technician/shop/dealership/garage to do the motor vehicle work they are trained and qualified to do which I am not. (they are not taking advantage of people)
Plus, at my age I can only manage to work at a desktop level which is why I keep my computer certifications/training up to date.
But not for much longer as I think I'll only need one more new computer before I spend eternity on the Dark Side of the Moon.
I graduated in 1983, does that mean that all my knowledge is non-applicable to today's electronics? Nope! Electronics are still electronics, and they all work in pretty much the same way and still obey the laws of Physics.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 10,665
Likes: 233
From: Northern California
DIY often claim that they are experienced and can service any and all their vehicles owned.... some of us very well otherwise...
Guys specifically... will claim they know everything having to do with servicing their rides yet in retail sales of parts my guess based on "EXPENCE" more then 1/.2 of parts sold either, don't get installed correctly, returned claiming defective or the owner gives up and slips into finding a shop or a friend that actually has training that can service there attempts at serving their vehicle. Going to car shows and just walking behind people as they make comments about how they could do better, performance events when some pay extra to have access to the pit area they all transform into expert engine builders, it all hilarious. And on this and so many forums DIY all think they have the answers and claim that there is not any problem on there personal vehicles they cant fix. ROLMAO. Whatever you know who you are !
And watch the predominate ones will respond to this defending themselves.... hahahahaha!!
Guys specifically... will claim they know everything having to do with servicing their rides yet in retail sales of parts my guess based on "EXPENCE" more then 1/.2 of parts sold either, don't get installed correctly, returned claiming defective or the owner gives up and slips into finding a shop or a friend that actually has training that can service there attempts at serving their vehicle. Going to car shows and just walking behind people as they make comments about how they could do better, performance events when some pay extra to have access to the pit area they all transform into expert engine builders, it all hilarious. And on this and so many forums DIY all think they have the answers and claim that there is not any problem on there personal vehicles they cant fix. ROLMAO. Whatever you know who you are !
And watch the predominate ones will respond to this defending themselves.... hahahahaha!!
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2025
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Given the extreme expansion of CANBUS throughout vehicles - which as an engineer I fully support - it's a smart approach, what I criticize Mazda for is HIDING the data. And it's not just Mazda, it's an industry wide load of BS in an attempt to protect the stealership maintenance program. I support embedded systems all over the world. My customers would accept this once and then we would be fired. There is simply no justifiable reason for anyone with a $200 scanner not to be able to pull up this data unless the maker was trying to protect their cheese.
And that is what the real issue is. All of the assorted CPUs report what is going on to the main CPU. Any vehicle owner should be able to pull up this data. But no, you have to buy a 2k licensed scanner and be "properly certified."
So mr. certified, pray tell. Is there a way to pull up your scan tool and check current draw? I would think with every cpu in the car killing batteries, this might be of interest.
And that is what the real issue is. All of the assorted CPUs report what is going on to the main CPU. Any vehicle owner should be able to pull up this data. But no, you have to buy a 2k licensed scanner and be "properly certified."
So mr. certified, pray tell. Is there a way to pull up your scan tool and check current draw? I would think with every cpu in the car killing batteries, this might be of interest.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 10,665
Likes: 233
From: Northern California
I can access what is called GLOBAL ACCESS with specifically designed programs that unlock the complete ECU and see every aspect of an ECU program
The reason many ECU are locked even some aspect for dealers is more about pubic safety and auto manufacture liability. Even a monkey can understand that? There are aspects in an ECU program that can cause damage to the vehcle and alter the various systems that control safe operations. Also there is the Emission standards. If anyone could see and or be able to change them then why have emission standards to begin with.
Seeing such things that only dealership should be able to like the ECU counters does nothing for the owner to know or see. This is in there for the purpose of establishing the time frame how long some things have occurred. It also protects the OE form people that could reset or delete the clocks to cheat the system. See Chevy Corvette from a few years ago when owners did that.
To answer your question ...Oscilloscope and viewing the wave patterns then doing the diagnostic electrical work form that information to find the electrical issue. . These have been around for decades. The first few posting showed a starting point but some member have the toys to see such things they just don't know how to read them and what to do with the information ?
Based on this and another threads member activity and now the powers that control the forum are taking notice this thread has no more interest for me to help or respond in/
In other words out-a-sight and out-of-mind
The End
The reason many ECU are locked even some aspect for dealers is more about pubic safety and auto manufacture liability. Even a monkey can understand that? There are aspects in an ECU program that can cause damage to the vehcle and alter the various systems that control safe operations. Also there is the Emission standards. If anyone could see and or be able to change them then why have emission standards to begin with.
Seeing such things that only dealership should be able to like the ECU counters does nothing for the owner to know or see. This is in there for the purpose of establishing the time frame how long some things have occurred. It also protects the OE form people that could reset or delete the clocks to cheat the system. See Chevy Corvette from a few years ago when owners did that.
To answer your question ...Oscilloscope and viewing the wave patterns then doing the diagnostic electrical work form that information to find the electrical issue. . These have been around for decades. The first few posting showed a starting point but some member have the toys to see such things they just don't know how to read them and what to do with the information ?
Based on this and another threads member activity and now the powers that control the forum are taking notice this thread has no more interest for me to help or respond in/
In other words out-a-sight and out-of-mind
The End
Member
Joined: May 2025
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 10,665
Likes: 233
From: Northern California
You are logged on this forum pretty much every day and yet you waited until today to post on a semi dormant.(last response 13, 2025 08:29 AM ) thread?? lol
Go back to the beginning and read again. Then learn about this OPs Mazda electrical system and how things are supplied power.
Did you read the data log the OP posted and it was quoted a few times and understand it based on the OP exact model Mazda and its electrical system?
Go back to the beginning and read again. Then learn about this OPs Mazda electrical system and how things are supplied power.
Did you read the data log the OP posted and it was quoted a few times and understand it based on the OP exact model Mazda and its electrical system?
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Mar 13, 2024 11:20 AM