- My model of MX-5 is: ND
- I’m based near: __
- I’m looking for technical help or recommendations on: __
Decided to give the ND a run as she has been standing immobile in the garage for several weeks since her Service.
She started immediately although the sluggish starter indicated a low battery charge. The i-stop light then proceeded to blink continuously so I gave her a 30 mile run hoping that a fully re-charged battery would solve the problem.
Unfortunately she progressed to a full blooded warning message “Battery Management Malfunction” so she is now booked into our local Mazda Dealer for investigation next Monday.
Has anyone else had similar problems ? The car is a late 2019 2.0 ND and because of Covid has only covered 1000 miles and has been dry garaged.
I had the same issue when my battery went low last year. Gave it a full charge and I’ve had no issues since.
1 Like
Did you use any particular charger ? I have a CTEK but there appear to be several threads insisting that only chargers designed for stop-start systems should be used.
I have the same Cetek MXS 3.8, usually keeping my 1971 Triumph GT6 battery conditioned. I have been wary of using it on the ND battery because of various cautions about using unsuitable battery chargers and causing damage to stop-start batteries and charging systems. Can anyone confirm that the MXS 3.8 is safe to use on an ND with stop-start function ?
Interesting. 
I bought the CTEK MS5.0 for my MX5 and because my other car (which at the time) was a Mazda 2 with start stop.
I now have a Volvo with start stop.
I use it for both cars with no problems.
HOWEVER, for those that do not know the basic start stop battery is what they call the EFB (Enhanced Flooded Battery).
Also the AGM (Absorbed Glass Matt), which is much better.
Now funnily enough today I had to have a new battery (under warranty on my Volvo and they fit EFB batteries, which is probably why they don’t last as long…
But as you can see the only charger CTEK states suitable for EFB is the specific Start Stop charger.
BUT they are ALL suitable for AGM batteries.
Will I continue to use the MS 5.0 Yes I will.
I will fire off an email to see if I can get a definitive answer. 
Bit of a can of worms to be honest. 
.
From the CTEK web site.
The 3.8 does not mention start stop but seems to cater for the vast majority of batteries including AGM etc.
“The MXS 3.8 microprocessor controlled 7 step battery charger and maintainer is suitable for batteries from 1.2Ah-85Ah. Features include battery diagnosis to establish whether your battery can receive and retain a charge, a patented desulphation program and a ‘Snowflake’ program for charging on cold days. It also includes selectable programs for charging smaller and normal batteries. The MXS 3.8 uses CTEK’s patented float/pulse system, which is the most efficient maintenance mode when a battery is connected for long periods. The MXS 3.8 is simple to use and you can follow the whole charging process on the clear, easy to read display
12 V:; WET; MF; Ca/Ca; AGM; GEL”.
This is for the MS5 which specifically caters for most batteries and indeed the start stop.
"The MXS 5.0 is an advanced microprocessor controlled battery charger which gives unrivalled performance for lead acid batteries from 1.2-110Ah. It comes with automatic temperature compensation built in which ensures the best charging performance, even in the most extreme conditions. The MXS 5.0 also includes battery diagnosis to establish whether your battery can receive and retain a charge, patented automatic desulphation program, an AGM option which maximises the performance life of most Stop/Start batteries and a special Recond mode for reconditioning deeply discharged batteries. The MXS 5.0 uses CTEK’s patented float/pulse system, which is the most efficient maintenance mode when a battery is connected for long periods
12 V:; WET; MF; Ca/Ca; AGM; GEL.
They do a specific charger for start stop batteries funnily enough called the CT5 Start Stop.
Start/Stop technology is great for the environment but it can put a considerable strain on your battery, especially if it’s in an older car. By keeping the battery fully charged, you can take full advantage of all the Start/Stop technology benefits, such as better fuel efficiency and lower CO2 emissions. If you only make short journeys, use the CT5 START/STOP once a month to keep your battery in peak condition. And if you’re going away on holiday, just connect the charger to the battery to make sure your car’s ready to go when you return
12 V:; WET; MF; Ca/Ca; AGM; EFB; GEL".
1 Like
I have the same CETEK MXS 5.0 for my 2019 ND2
I had an email for CETEK telling me to use it in AGM mode, would you say thats correct then ???
or does it not really matter too much
Personally I “Don’t think” it matters too much.
None of the chargers seem to be high or fast rate chargers which could potentially damage a battery.
As they have said use AGM mode that is what I will do too.
However, as promised I have sent an email to CTEK to ask for advice on them all.
I am no expert mind just trying to assist for us all.
1 Like
My ND battery is now fully charged according to my CETEK MXS 3.8 but although she starts and runs as normal she is still showing a flashing i-stop light and displaying a “Battery Management Malfunction” warning. Guess I will have to await the Dealer’s investigation on Monday.
Hi y,
Try taking the negative battery terminal off for a few minutes and then reconnecting it just to see if it resets the system. Most ‘IT’ based systems seem to respond favourably to this.
2 Likes
Mine came up with that error after I charged the battery.
Unfortuinately it was last year and I can’t remember if I did anything to clear it, but I think it just cleared itself after a while.
The car is under warranty so I shall now leave it to the Dealer to sort it out.
My Mazda6 does this too. Dealer may try to sell you a new battery for £500 (NOT covered by warranty) but it will not help* - it is a system reset that is needed. Disconnecting the battery negative lead for 30 minutes is the easiest way - note this also clears some settings like trip computer and (on the 6) seat memory. There is an arcane reset procedure involving the i-stop button and 10 minutes of idling but it doesn’t always work, and will annoy the neighbours!
*I did fit a new EFB battery and reset the system - the problem was back 4 months later. I just reset it now. It’s good for a few months each time.
2 Likes
Disconnecting the battery has been suggested a couple of times. I have been reluctant to do this in case I need a code to re-activate the radio, or is this not a problem ?
Check the manual but I don’t think any Mazda has a radio code these days, nor has one for many years.
The one-touch windows may need resetting (by operating them fully up and down a few times) and, on the NC, the ASC warning light will come on until you turn the steering lock-to-lock or just drive it for a bit then restart it.
1 Like
Thanks !
I am showing my age - my other two current cars are 19 and 49 years old and if I disconnect their batteries I then spend hours trying to remember where I noted the radio codes.
As promised reply from CTEK 
My question.
“ Hi,
I have read your descriptions from your web site re your battery chargers.
Also recently just bought the MS 5.0 and used with great success.
I have used it on my MX5 with a standard battery and my Volvo V60 (with EFB) start stop.
I also see that ALL your chargers are suitable for AGM batteries.
The only charger that mentions the EFB (enhanced Flood battery) is your specific start stop charger.
My question is “Is it safe to use the MS 3.8, MS 5.0 and the MS 7.0 for start stop batteries including EFB and AGM”?
Personally I am sure the answer is yes, but would very much appreciate confirmation.
Many thanks and look forward to hearing from you.”
The reply.
“HI
Happy to hear that you are satisfied with CTEK
yes, EFB, Enhanced Flooded Batteries can be charged by all CTEK chargers.”
1 Like
Many thanks for the CTEK update.
My Dealer has had my ND today and now wants to keep it on charge overnight as they say they found my battery to be nearly flat. That is despite my CTEK indicating that it is fully charged.
The Dealer also says that disconnecting the battery for 30 minutes would not reset the fault message.
1 Like
A knackered battery can show as being nearly fully charged because it won’t take any more charge.
The best way for you to tell if its any good is to check the voltage. A decent battery should show 12.6v or so.
Anything much less than that would mean you have a problem. When a say much less, I mean points of a volt, not volts. 12v is actually very poor.
Does the ctek not show voltage??
Best to check immediately and then after a couple of hours.
The battery needs to not only be able to take a charge but hold it as well.
Best bet is to get it checked out by a battery specialist.