I have a 2007 mazda 3 hatchback that wont start if it sits for a few days. The battery is a few months old and autozone tested it and the alternator and both pass. If the car is driven daily it starts fine. I did a parasitic drain test and see 1.6A of draw with all doors shut/locked. I was able to trace the draw to the btn fuse and by removing it or unplugging connector J0-1 on the PJB the draw drops to near 0A. I pulled all the fuses in the PJB but the draw is still 1.6A. I removed the PJB to check for missing pins or corrosion and found that the J0-1 connector had a slight amount of greenish corrosion looking stuff in a few spots. I cleaned it as best I could but no change in draw. I checked all lights etc to ensure everything is off. Everything seems to work fine on the car.
Any ideas of how to narrow this down further?
Thanks

 

This is an ongoing issue with my 2010 Mazda3 Hatchback. It started after I drove through some deep water, the car still ran, but the next day the parasitic drain issue began and it wouldn't start after sitting overnight. I spent a lot of time investigating fuses, forums etc & finally had my local repair shop look at it. I spent a ton of money with them & they could only guess what the cause might be. Replacing the battery was a huge help, but the current draw still exists, so I've installed a battery disconnect switch:
https://www.harborfreight.com/batter...tch-97853.html
I disconnect the battery if I know the car will be parked for more than a day, like at the airport.
I have been shocked to learn that WalMart batteries only carry a 2 year warranty now & will die shortly after this, even here in the deep south. This was part of my problem. I remember not too long ago a battery would be good for 4-5 years. I'd like to know if non-WalMart batteries are also short-lived.

 

I ended up taking it to mazda and they identified the issue as the PJB and replaced it with a used one and the draw is gone. They said it was due to the corrosion in the PJB.

 

Um, what's a PJB?

 

passenger junction box. its the fuse box below the dashboard on the passenger side

 

How much did it cost?

 

I found there is a little black switch in the trunk that drains your battery. Some tips:

• Drain a lead-acid battery at any negative temperature and it pretty much swells at the base and is toast (never holds a charge again)..
• Put a AGM battery in (Absorptive Glass Matt) battery which even Walmart sells and these you can run dead at negative temperatures and they will come back
• If you have a 'impossible' to find leak one can put a 433 Mhz remote control switch in replacement for the fuse (make sure it's current rated) and control your circuit with a FOB at the time of driving and disable it when you are not driving.
• It's better than 'ditching' a nuisance car, and or having to open close the hood every time for a battery master control..