To start- my battery light kept coming on and then later would go off. Guy at Auto Zone checked charging and said everything checked out fine. Battery is about 3 months old. He told me that it could be the alternator could be going out or, but not likely, the ECU cause the alternator gets its signal to charge from the ECU.

Well, I was stranded yesterday, However, even though the engine barely started , it only idles, even when I floor it. The engine doesn't rev. past idle. Also the Power Steering Malfunction light come on and the power steering goes out and very hard to turn.

Changed the alternator ($220.00), charged the battery and though proble soved. BUT, the same problem is back.

What could it be? Its a 2006 Mazda3, 60,000 miles, well maintained.

 

Is your belt worn and slipping? This could cause your power steering or your alternator to act weird.

Do you think you could have a faulty ground or are the posts on your battery corroded? I had similar things occur in my old rx8 and all i need was a wire brush on my battery terminals. Since it's all over I would think it would be something like that, instead of a specific bad part.

 

power steering is electric pump powered, so a belt wouldnt cause that issue.
Im guessing the check engine light must be on if it will barely idle & not accelerate - have the codes checked.
How long has this been happening? battery light, no acceleration. And has it been warm / cold / wet / dry weather?

 

has the OP found a solution to the problem? I am having the same problem now.