2003 Mazda Tribute Logo
Posted on Oct 19, 2008
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Electrical Problems We had smoke under the hood in the alternator/battery area and the garage replaced both. We drove it home and it went completely dead. No dome light, headlamp, locks, nothing. We had it towed and the garage checked the battery cables and found nothing wrong. They turned the key and it started but they couldn't get it to fail again. We took it home and the next day it happened again. I unlocked the electronic locks, turned the key which turned all of the gauges on, it clicked once then went completely dead again.

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  • Ruger610 Oct 20, 2008

    Emissionwiz-Sorry to hurt your feelings but you didn't read the what the problem was with the vehicle. It wasn't the smoke, it was having the alternator and battery replaced by a garage and then the whole electrical system going dead. The second garage couldn't find anything wrong with it as it started for them after it was towed to their garage. The next day it was dead again.

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Marvin

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  • Mazda Master 85,242 Answers
  • Posted on Oct 19, 2008
Marvin
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Do not leave the car in the garage without the battery disconnected until you locate the source of the smoke, the best tool to find the smoke's source is your nose, smell the area around the source of the smoke, if you smell a really nauseating smell you found it, then look for signs of burnt wires or burnt components, also look for any oil that may have caused the smoke, but I doubt that was the source, this sounds electrical. I know of no problems for your car that would cause this, so most likely it is not a common problem.

  • Marvin
    Marvin Oct 20, 2008

    When you leave you Thanks For Trying rating it is unlikely any other expert will want to attempt to help you, I tried to help, this rating is unjust.

  • Marvin
    Marvin Oct 20, 2008

    What ever

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