Aggressive engine immobilizer

[crabman27]

Last week I took my daughter to school. I got there a little early and it was raining, so I turned the car off. After a few minutes, I turned the rear window defroster on, and the entire electrical system shut down completely. Windows, lights, locks, radio -- all completely dead.

I called for roadside assistance, and when they arrived, they told me that the security system disabled the car. The guy fiddled with something under the hood, and the alarm engaged with the electrical system. I was able to turn the car back on, but the alarm squawked at me until I got home and disarmed the alarm with my wife's key fob. (I've been driving the car for years using a valet key.)

We had a similar episode today. We drove to a neighborhood park and after unloading the car, couldn't lock the doors. I tried to turn the car on, and it was completely dead. I called roadside assistance again, and this time watched to see how the guy rebooted my car. He unscrewed a yellow cap near the battery and pushed the button inside. (pictured below)

I spent a few hours searching this forum for similar issues, but didn't find anything. Do you know what I can do to keep this from happening again?

TIA,
Jon

 

[Uneek]

I don't think it's an engine immobilizer. It looks like an anti-battery drain device. I don't have any device like that on mine. It looks like you have the V6 as well.

Can you remove that box and connect the positive cable directly to the battery post?

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Can you remove that box and connect the positive cable directly to the battery post?

:iagree:I'd dump it. I searched the patent # and came up with nothing.