well obviously i have a 1989 mazda 929. automatic transmission. i dont know anything about mazdas or about cars in general but my matter is quite simple. a while ago i started having problems getting the car to start. sometimes it would click alot before turning over and a couple random people told me that sounded like a starter problem. however, most recently what has happened is that the battery will die and it wont start. wont turn over. wont even hold enough charge to give power enough for dash lights. i can juice it for 10-15 min.'s and get the lights to come on, but no engine response. also, the last 2 places i took it to just said it was the battery and replaced it with a new one, however both times, within 3 weeks my battery was completely dead. that makes me think it may be an alternator problem. i've checked and cleaned the connections numerous times, but to no avail. i need to get my car moving by the end of december b/c im moving and cant leave my car behind. anybody have any ideas? or know any good honest mechancis/towing service in the austin, tx area? thanks a bunch for your time if you read this.

-rambleon

 

yea it sounds like a alternator problem to me try charging it for a while untill you can get it to start, then remove the posotive terminal from the battery if the car dies your alternator is gone. Of course your starter could also be bad on top of your alternator could also be a battery problem after the battery dies enough, might have to replace all 3. Doubt the battery though but more than likely the alternator. Plus if the battery is dead when u try to charge it you'll have to charge it for longer than 20 min. for it to turn over.