Aggravation: Free of charge

[Anita]

Did they mean an anti-theft system? Is there any after-market devices that could possibly be shorting and draining your system?

[Boogieman]

Did they mean an anti-theft system? Is there any after-market devices that could possibly be shorting and draining your system?

There's is an aftermarket alarm installed, so I thought that, too. Weird thing is, I've owned this VX for a year and a half with no problems, other than the occasional drained battery from my own doing, i.e. leaving the dome light on. So that's what leads me to think that it can't be that- it's been there all along.

The dealer said there's an Isuzu factory anti-rust inhibitor thingie installed. It electrifies the frame and undercarriage to prevent rust- his words. And I may be wrong with the actual numbers/terms- but they said you want to be below 12 amps draw with an idle battery, and I'm at 11 amps. Disconnecting this anti-rust drops it to 5.

I may take it back there and ask them to do it. I can't enjoy my VX if it's always dead in the garage, and my daughter will be driving it again this summer while she's home from school, so I can't have it dying on her all the time either.

[Ascinder]

I'd like to know what this anti rust mechanism is since I'm fairly sure none of us on the forum here have ever heard of the thing. I have heard of the Navy using an electrified system on ships to inhibit rust, but never on a car.

[Moncha]

The Anit-Rust mechanism is pure BS,, The steel body panels are galvanized to resist rust but, there is not a cathode that I'm aware of to keep the rust bugs at bay.

Have someone you trust at a good quality parts store do a "Load Test" on your battery (Detached from the vehicle).

Your problem sounds more like a shorted cell within the battery. Depending on the brand, most batteries have a sticker over the vent holes so your don't see them. (Usually between the posts) Does said sticker have a discoloration?? If it does, that is a tell tale sign of the battery "Venting", a common occurance when a cell is shorted (Caused by deposits stretching from one plate to the other). This venting is a release of hydrogen and sulfuric acid making the discoloration.

The load test shows the defect much better than a simple voltage test. The load test will show the voltage of the battery under load (Which should drop dramatically over a short period of time) and be very different than a simple resting voltage test, which will most likely show 12 volts or just under making the service person tell you the battery is fine when it's not.

Good luck

[Boogieman]

The Anit-Rust mechanism is pure BS,, The steel body panels are galvanized to resist rust but, there is not a cathode that I'm aware of to keep the rust bugs at bay.

Wow, that's interesting. Thing is, it was a local repair place (one I trust) that told me about the rust-inhibitor thing- it was something they FOUND on the vehicle. So it wasn't an Isuzu dealer/salesman/parts guy saying it. Whatever it is, he said when they disconnect it the drain drops quite a bit. I'll report back when I learn any more- I've gotta do something to keep the thing from dying.

The battery is two months old, so while it could be that, chances are something else is draining it.

[Ascinder]

Do you know where it was allegedly located on the VX? That might help solve the mystery. I just did a google search on this type of thing and evidently they do make something like this for cars, but as Moncha posted, the VX was not known to have this kind of thing, but a galvanized approach instead(which means be careful sanding, lead=bad).

[Moncha]

The battery is two months old, so while it could be that, chances are something else is draining it.

I've seen brand new batteries come off the shelf with shorted cells, happens while in shipping.. So age sometimes does not matter.

If you could get a good description or photo of said part that your shop is talking about. We'll figure it out..

[Boogieman]

If you could get a good description or photo of said part that your shop is talking about. We'll figure it out..

Just called the shop. they said it was a small box mounted on the firewall w/ a green and red light (as he remembers it). Said to just disconnect the red wire and tape it off to disconnect it.

I can;t go look for it 'cause I don't have my VX here with me- it's at home... oh yeah, dead in the driveway.

[johnnyapollo]

I'm with Scott on this one - my advice is get it checked and if you need a new battery, take a look at the Optima Red Top (or some equivalent spiral technology battery) - the peace-of-mind is well worth the extra cost (check Costco for the best price).

-- John