Electrical Problem! Argh!

[Shades]

Anyone have this before... everytime I step on the brakes, my stereo shuts off and back on, all the gauges turn off and back on, sometimes my power locks unlock and lock... it's like I turned my car off and back on while driving.<P>Anyone have this problem before, what was your solutions? I want to try a few things before I take it to Mazda and let them eat my wallet.

[Maddbuck]

wow this may be hard to solve or then maybe a simple solution.<BR>Sounds like something grounding when it shouldn't be.<BR>if you put the ignition in the acc pos and turn on the radio, push the brake peddal does everything shut off or does the engine have to be running? Does it do it all the time or occasionally? Does this happen at night or during the day?<P>I'd start by:<BR>1. checking the brake switch on the peddal.<P>2.remove both brakelight bulbs from the rear and check them out - remember the high mount one too but start with the main ones. see if you can get it to do the same thing without bulbs in - if it doesn't its the bulbs if not then it is something else.<BR>The reason for this suggestion is that everything you said goes out is linked through the light circuit and maybe one of the bulbs is defective or broken and shorting with the lights part of the bulb - they are dual filament bulbs.<P>3. Highly unlikely but worth a shot - check the brake fluid level - maybe it is low the the sensor is defective and shorting out the system when you press the brakes.<P>4. last suggestion I can think of is maybe the brake relay is on its last legs.<P>thats all I can think of now, hope that gives a start

[Shades]

Thanks for the feedback...<P>Um I forgot to mention this happens randomly, night or day, whenever it feels like... so it's gonna be a hard one to try and solve.<P>I'll try all those things you posted...

[majicmike]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Shades:<BR><STRONG>Anyone have this before... everytime I step on the brakes, my stereo shuts off and back on, all the gauges turn off and back on, sometimes my power locks unlock and lock... it's like I turned my car off and back on while driving.<P>Anyone have this problem before, what was your solutions? I want to try a few things before I take it to Mazda and let them eat my wallet.</STRONG><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>i am not sure if this is the same problem but my stereo did the same thing one time. i had no problem w/the gauges but my headlights would dim and the engine would want to die at idle. i was trying to run three high power amps. if i turned up my stereo i would have this problem at random. it also killed my batt..<BR>try checking the batt. cable alt. conn. all grounds and stereo wires for breakage or shorts. loose connections or shorts can cause the same problem. also check your alt. voltage at idle 13+ volts is good.

[marshmallow15]

yes i would DEFINITELY check out for an incorrect ground, loose connections, battery, and to see if pressing on the brake pedal mashes some type of wires connected to the electrical system. most likely from similar events, id say that its your alternator belt or alternator itself.