Russ

yea, well i was out doing some back road driving just for fun and all of a sudden she just dies. im like OH **** cause everything went off all the lights etc and the cars just sitting there in pitch black in the middle of the road. so i quick hop out pop the hood and try to find a needle in a haystack in the dark with my little maglight. so i jiggle the battry cables and i see sparks go around the battery cables but the lights came back on so i hoped in quick and hauled *** home. any ideas on what the hell happend? bad battery cables maybe?

J-Rat

iTrader: (2)

hmm.. the battery shouldnt do that alone, but maybe you lost your ground.

AusTexRex

did you lose all power to your pedal? Like suddenly gassing it did nothing and you came to a stop?
Does the car make clicking noises when you turn the key? Does it make any noises at all? It could have simply been a vacuum hose bursting or falling off.

Russ

it did click when i tried to turn it over the first time i had to get out and jiggle teh battery cable some more and the second time i jiggled the cable it desided to turn over. it just died while i was driving..i went to make a right turn...slowed down then it stalled out and died.

YakATK

What kind of shape are your terminals in? If they look a little beat up and old and shitty then maybe that caused it. Not totally sure though, check your battery cables for any wear on them.

Russ

the battery cables are alittle worn. where can i pickup a set mazdatrix?

kiker14

iTrader: (1)

Definitely good advice, I had the same thing happen with the sudden loss of power, just had to clean off the terminals of the battery by scratching them up with an old screwdriver (I'm assuming that a wire brush would be the optimal choice of tools, but i'm a college kid, i work with what i have...)

Russ

geuss ill have to try cleaning them off tomorrow the one looks kinda bent up and the wire look sorta stripped..we'll see. its not that big of a deal it seems like it'll be an easy fix.

Russ

but i have to say the more i think about it if there cheap enuff (anyone know how much a set of brand new cables run?) id really like to just replace them just so i have some peace of mind. i really dont like the idea of this happening when im pulling out in front of a 18wheeler or something. id rather do it the right way the first time.

AusTexRex

If you're in a jam on the side of the road and don't have tools/time, pouring small amounts of a carbonated drink on the terminals will clean them off pretty well. Of course you need to dry them off too.

Tofuball

Most autoparts stores also sell some neat little felt washers that are soaked in something or other. Those keep the battery posts from accumulating that crust over the years. For 75 cents, go for that while you're at it

Russ

thanks for all the suggestions

Russ

http://mazdatrix.com/N-5.HTM why do the cables only go up to 85? did i miss something...

Russ

up

Russ

bounce

Russ

/\ /\ /\

Tofuball

Dude, any autoparts store will have what you need.