I went to Mazda to get pricing for new battery wires. Thet said they don't have any part # on It. So I want to go out on my own and replace them my self.

To my understanding their are 2 wires coming out of the "+" terminal, both with various gauges. One of them leading to the alternator and the other leading to the starter. On the "-" terminal their is one leading directly to the back of the block, right behind the oil filter assembly. Right?

What gauges are their for these 3 wires? Is their more than these? Finally, Is their anything else that I need to know?

Sometime ago I added an 8 gauge wire from the positive terminal directly to my Alternator with great results. Voltage readings went up 1.5! I beleive with the addition of this wire less strain Is applied to the Electrical System. I want to replace these wires to insure I have no electrical problems that can't be traced back to faulty wires!

 

try 4 gauge

 

bigger is better for the one thats going down to the starter and try to keep the same size on the one going to the alt.

 

I wonder if many of the alternator gripes we here are really caused by old wires? This is a case where quality matters as much as gauge.

 

So that Is to say that their are three wires Involved In replacing these that lead to the battery?

Does anybody have any numbers to work with, In terms of the Gauge(s) for these wires?

 

The factory uses 6AWG for the main wires and 10AWG for the alt. I would recommend going up at least one size on each if not two or three.

8 AWG for alt and 4 AWG for battery seems about right.

I always upgrade my ground wires from that battery to the body to 2 AWG on every car I own.

 

Is there any specific type of wire I should get? The only place in town that sells 2 and 4 gauge wire is an audio store, will that work?

 

That actually is gonna be your best bet. The wire is high performance and should last quite a while.

You might also try boat parts stores/shops, if the stereo shop wire is too pricey

 

Thanks Icemark. I guess I should find away to get to the back of the block to change my ground wire. You know, the one behind the Oil Filter Assembly.

 

What are the advantages of upgrading to a lower gauge wire?

 

well IMO the factory grounds were weak sized when new, well alone after the heat and current run through them at 100K miles.

The heat and current makes the copper inside very brittle and a poor conductor. In addition the more current ran through the wire the hotter it gets. The hotter it gets the more brittle and a poor conductor it becomes. Eventually the wire snaps or burns when it gets bad enough.

And with grounds it is more so important that the are functioning to the best they can for only as much power can be generated and used as can complete the path through the grounds.

So better wire, better conductivity.

Better conductivity, better useage of the alt's output, and less loss through more heat and poor conductivity.