Hey Mazda fans!

I think I've found the answer to the problem, but, since every issue is different, I thought I'd ask some experts!!

My stepmom has an '05 Mazda 6, and last night while driving home, she said it started to sputter while driving down the road. She said the Engine Light and the Battery Light came on. When she hit the brights, they both blew. As of right now, she only has the drivers side low beam working. (All tail lights are fine) The small parking lights try to come on, but the drivers side faintly glows and the passenger side glows a little better, but not by much. I drove it to try and replicate the sputtering, and couldn't. The wipers are slow to cycle through. The battery didn't get hot, so I don't think it's overcharging. At first, I thought it was a voltage regulator, but now I'm thinking a low charging alternator. But..what would cause a power surge that would blow virtually all her headlights? We'll be taking it to AutoZone to get the alternator checked tomorrow, but is there anything else I could be missing? Thanks for any advice!!!

 

The alternator is controlled by the PCM/ECU. I've seen a few of the older 6's have charging problems & have turned out to be faulty PCM.

 

Well, the alternator is putting out 11.5V. But it had four Engine Light codes, an Intake Air Flow circuit high input, MAF sensor low input sensor, possible coolant sensor faulty and Throttle Position sensor 2 circuit high input. My thought is the faulty sensors are drawing too many volts from the alternator. So, I guess I'll start there.

**UPDATE** After talking to dad, he said the TP Sensor had been bad for a while. No way to tell when the other codes were thrown.
The code numbers are:
P0113 IAT
P0102 MAF
P0126 ECT
P0223 TP

Anyone know of any other ideas on things I could check/replace?

 

IAT sensors is part of the MAF assembly.

P0126 isn't a Australian spec code so I have no info to share.

All the others are in relation to the voltage to being too high or too low.

You need to find a diagnostic tool that can read the PIDs (Parameter Identification Data) and also test Wether the PCM is commanding the alternator to do its thing.

 

Forgive me for changing the question: On a Mazda 6 4 cyl 2.3 the small connector to the alternator has two wires, both of my are pulled off. Can someone tell me which color goes to which side of the connector? A picture would be great, One is green, the other is Yellow/Red. thanks