Aggravation: Free of charge

[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.

[Moncha]

Has to be after market, never seen anything like that. Even if it was an anti-rust device, (I'm not arguing) it should not draw that much current if it's working correctly... See how it goes.

[Mark B]

Anti-Rust Mechanism?
I would like to know what this guy is talking about.
I have never heard of this in the VX. In fact, I have never heard of this in any vehicle.

[nfpgasmask]

Yeah, once you figure out what is going on, I would totally throw down for an Optima Red Top. These batteries are very good, long lasting and well worth the money, plus they are a lot smaller than conventional batteries, which keeps things looking good under the hood.

Hey, that rhymes!

Bart

[Boogieman]

Anti-Rust Mechanism?
I would like to know what this guy is talking about.
I have never heard of this in the VX. In fact, I have never heard of this in any vehicle.

Well, I found out what it is... sort of. There's two boxes, one mounted on the firewall on the left side, and the other on the right side fender well (inside the engine compartment). I couldn't get a decent picture with my camera phone. The main one is on the firewall- a red positive wired directly to the battery, a negative ground and a white wire connecting the other box mounted on the fender well across the engine bay. Definitely an anti-corrosion device, though there's no ISUZU markings or logos, so I would also say it's an aftermarket unit. Which doesn't surprise me- the previous owner loaded this thing up.)

Haven't jumped the VX yet to get it running again, but hopefully disconnecting this unit will fix the issue.

Read some interesting articles on these units yesterday. one went as far as to say that, because of the inherent fact that a CAR sits on RUBBER, these devices by their very electronic nature CANNOT work- there's no ground. Hmm.. Snake oil anyone??

Thanks for the help-
Keith

[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