I have a 2002 Mazda Tribute DX 4 cylinder. My battery is being drained. I have checked both the battery and alternator and they both are good. I have no idea what the problem could be. Any suggestions.

2.0L Engine

1. Remove or disconnect the following:
   
   Negative battery cableDrive beltAlternator electrical connectors and loosen the upper alternator bolt while moving the alternator to the rear of the engineAlternator. Torque the lower bolt to 35 ft. lbs. (48Nm). Torque the upper bolt to 18 ft. lbs. (25 Nm).To install:
   
   1. Install or connect the following:
      
      Alternator with the upper bolt in the alternator before installation. Torque the bolts to 18 ft. lbs. (25 Nm).Alternator electrical connectors Drive belt Negative battery cable.
      

Disconnect battery , remove the driven belt,remove belt,remove wire and push in plug remove long bolt lift away from motor.

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you mentioned new alternator and battery, but it seem that the alternator is not charging, when you install the new battery the car started and run and after hours of running specially if head light is on the car shuts down. this is an indication that the alternator is not charging. (factory defect) have it checked or return part to auto supply.
if alternator is good and you have the car jumped and run it will not shut down even if your battery is dead because the charge of the alternator is enough to power the electrical system of the car until you turn it off. this applies to all cars

Disconnect the battery cables. Refer to BATTERY DISCONNECT. 2. Remove the right intermediate axle shaft. Refer to HALFSHAFT-FRONT. 3. Remove the right lower splash shield screws and the pin-type retainer. 4. Rotate the accessory drive belt tensioner clockwise and remove the accessory drive belt. 5. Remove the nut and position the bracket and wiring harness aside. 6. Remove the upper generator mounting bolts. 2002 Mazda Truck Tribute DX 2WD V6-3.0L DOHC 7. Remove the lower generator bolts and position the generator aside. 8. Remove the generator mounting bracket boils and remove the bracket. 9. Remove the generator electrical connectors. 1. Remove the B+ nut and cable. 2. Remove the connector. 10. Rotate the generator to gain clearance, and remove through the opening in the fender well. 11. To install, reverse the removal procedure.

2002 Mazda Tribute DX 2WD 3.0 liter DOHC V-6



Hope helps.

Check the grounds for the alternator and the battery. Low charging can be loose belt or that the grounds are loose, dirty or broken. If everything else checked was fine I would check all grounds this is a commonly overlooked problem. Also check for a draw on the battery. Use a test light for this between the neg. cable and the neg. post of the battery. You want to use a test light not a volt meter, for the test light will light if there is a draw. If you use a volt meter it will read voltage even with no draw, you need to be concerned with amperage not volts.

For the 2002 Mazda Tribute 3.0L DOHC V6:
Same for all 3.0L on DX, ES LX, 2WD, 4WD:

Firing Order:
1 - 4 - 2 - 5 - 3 - 6

Cylinders:
........(back)........
|...1.....2.....3...|
.........................
|...4.....5.....6...|
........(front)

Let me know if this helped, or if you have additional information or questions. Feel Free to contact me at FixYa.com!

When that light comes on, it is indicating charging system problem which could mean alternator not charging for one reason or another like loose belt, faulty alternator, or yes, bad battery or connection at battery, for example. First & easiest thing to do is check all your connections to battery, which you've probably done, and make sure they're tight & clean. Make sure belt driving alternator is good & tight, and in good shape. Now boost the vehicle to get it going & test voltage at battery, after you take cables off. My guess is in your case, the voltage will begin to go down, indicating a bad alternator, that will need to be replaced.

What initiated the need for jump starting? Is the alternator charging? Has the battery been checked?

To check the alternator, once the engine has been jumped and is running, remove one of the battery post connections. If the engine dies, the alternator is not charging the battery, and the symptoms you describe are the on-board computer going through low voltage spasms until sufficient electrical power to operate the engine / tranny is drained and the car dies.

If the car continues to run with no battery attached, the alternator is charging - - - and I would recommend removing the battery and having it checked and (if good) recharged to full capacity. I would also recommend having it charged even if the alternator is the problem just to delay the onset of the low voltage problems. The car should operate normally for a few miles before the battery drains too low after a full recharge, enabling you to get it to a shop for alternator service / replacement.

If you attempt replacing the alternator yourself, make sure the battery is disconnected prior to starting the job. Saves blowing up good stuff by accidental short.

Hope this helps and good luck!

-WB.