Theft Deterrent Light (SX4)

[skiwhiz]

I have a 2009 SX4 and was wondering if the theft Deterrent Light suppose to remain on (blinking) when the ignition is off. Havn't had a problem starting the vehicle was just wondering because I was concerned about battery drain. Thanks! Steve.

[LMP]

Yes....it is a deterrent if it blinks...so it blinks all the time the ignition is off. Battery drain is minimal..in fact, less than the computer takes to stay asleep.

[skiwhiz]

Originally Posted by LMP

Yes....it is a deterrent if it blinks...so it blinks all the time the ignition is off. Battery drain is minimal..in fact, less than the computer takes to stay asleep.

Thank you!!!

[TheShadowFL]

That's just one of several systems that remain ON, when you turn your key off.

Maybe that's why Suzuki puts a 1000 amp battery in the little SX4.

When I had to replace my own battery after three years, here's what I found as a direct replacement.





On a cold winter morning, you'd be glad to have a battery like this. Eh?

Cheers Mates!
Shadow

[fordem]

The CCA (cold cranking amp) rating of the battery has absolutely nothing to do with it's ability to run multiple loads with the key off - that ability would be determined by it's capacity, either stated in Ah (amp hours) or more commonly for automotive starting batteries, as reserve capacity (the number of minutes it can support a 25A load)

[TheShadowFL]

Oh so now you're the battery expert too. ???
I think NOT!

A battery can't crank a motor at 1000 amps without Capacity.

I ran that battery for three years, so I think I'm a better judge of its value than you are.

[LMP]

While both of the above can be right when stated in their own proper context, any argument would be futile anyway because:
Battery is religion
Oil change is religion
Oil type is religion
Car make is religion
Religion is religion

[fordem]

Shadow - I won't claim to be a battery expert - and I am not questioning the value of the battery you purchased.

On the other hand, I have worked with lead acid batteries on a daily basis since the mid '80's - first as a storage medium for photovoltaics (solar electric), and following that, as storage for UPS (uninterruptible power supply) systems - I had to go to school to learn about batteries and I'd say I've forgotten more about them than the average person ever learns.

There are different designs for storage batteries (those with high reserve capacity) & cranking batteries (those with high crank capacity), and those design parameters are actually - so to speak - diametrically opposed - a battery with a high storage capacity will have a small number of thick plates (to prevent buckling), and one with high cranking capacity will have a large number of thin plates(for increased surface area).

Yes, you will find that batteries with high CCA ratings also have higher reserve capacity than batteries with lower CCA ratings, but this is as much a market requirement as it is a design coincidence.

Feel free to respond, but at least do so from an informed stand point rather than a rant.

[DarkStorm1087]

Is there any security alarm on the SX4 or is it just a blinking light for show?

[RobertSX4]

While capacity is intrinsically related to cranking amperage the design of the battery is as much if not more so important. A deep cycle battery, such as used for powering a device such as a boat's trolling motor or a house's sump pump will have a much lower cranking ability given its size and capacity compared to a starting battery. Conversely a starting battery will produce a large amount of upfront amperage but not have nearly as large a reserve capacity. A 75 ampere hour marine battery will usually be rated at about 500-550 amps at zero degrees Fahrenheit where as the same physical sized starting battery will be around 40-50 amp hours but crank at 675-800 amps at 0 degrees. This comes down to the thickness of the plates involved, the starting battery utilizes a thinner plate and thus a larger plate area, this is also a weakness as it discharges faster (smaller capacity) and can be more easily sulfated by deep discharges (this is why starting batteries are ruined when discharged completely and a deep cycle is not) There are newer styles of batteries utilizing a starved electrolyte design incorporating impregnated fiberglass mats that can act as both a deep cycle and starting battery as well as offering better reliability and longevity but for a considerably higher price (think Odyssey or optima).

Additionally, though nearly every after market battery will have a higher CCA (cold cranking amp) rating than the original, and an 800 is a fine number to have under your hood, the factory original in our cars is only rated around the 550cca mark as most automakers include only the minimal specified battery in their cars and ours is no different.

Unless it was expressly added as an option there is no alarm, just a blinking light. Thank heavens