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What is this wireless dongle?

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Technical Discussion' started by Neurotrash, Oct 7, 2019.

  1. Neurotrash

    Neurotrash New Member

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    It's plugged into what I think is the obd2 port. Its my first Prius, and my last vehicle was a 2006 Mazda with zero tech., so I don't want to unplug it until I know what it is. My money says it's either a tracking device the dealer forgot to remove or some sort of interface adapter that works with a phone app or something. Any help is greatly appreciated!
     

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  2. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    Looks like a car tracker - either the dealer or the previous owner - I'd ask the dealer, they might want it back!!
     
  3. GadgetVirtuoso

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    It’s a wireless hot spot. The previous owner just forgot about it.
     
  4. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    Interesting - I thought that would have to be plugged into the entertainment unit somehow - but can it be plugged into the ebd2 port?
     
  5. Lightning Racer

    Lightning Racer Active Member

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    That's a tracking device. It collects GPS and accelerometer data and probably sends it to the previous owner's insurance company. See Progressive's Snapshot below in the link. The previous owner probably was willing to give this data to their insurance company in hopes that it would lower their rates. It could potentially show speed limit violations, emergency braking, how hard you accelerate, if you drive at night, etc.

    What is Snapshot and How You Can Save | Progressive
     
  6. kithmo

    kithmo Couch Potato

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    A Google for Novatel wireless seems to indicate a tracker as mentioned above.
     
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  7. FuelMiser

    FuelMiser Senior Member

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    Should the OP be concerned that this device is consuming power all the time? Isn't the OBDII Port always powered?
     
  8. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    If it's a tracker - I'd hope it's always powered. But, no I don't know.
     
  9. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    Yes. and yes.
    But if it is a good design, it won't draw much when "idle".
     
  10. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    I don't know of any OBDII port devices that are essential to the vehicle's operation, so I'd preemptively pull it out, then deal with identifying it.

    Once out, looking at the plug-socket shape will definitively answer whether or not it was on the OBDII port.
     
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  11. CooCooCaChoo

    CooCooCaChoo Active Member

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    I would remove it. When you bought the car, you didn't expect that device to be part of the deal. But don't get rid of it, somebody might want it back...
     
  12. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Any constant weight on the OBD port can be detrimental too. I would remove it right away, figure out later what to do with it. FWIW, the 12 volt pin on the OBD port always has 12 volts.
     
  13. RRxing

    RRxing Senior Member

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    If it is an insurance company tracking device, drive like a maniac for a couple of days, then remove it.

    DISCLAIMER - Do this only if you feel mischievous. :sneaky: Otherwise, just remove it.
     
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  14. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    Your PRIUS probably recorded it anyway. They aren't specific about how much information is on the EVENT DATA RECORDER, or the Vehicle Data Recorder. All TOYOTA says is "such as":
    upload_2019-10-8_9-21-59.png
     
  15. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    But there is no standard reporting path from the Prius internals to anybody. Absent police or a post-crash mechanic grabbing it, whatever 'compromising,' embarrassing, or even ordinary profiling info might be in there, should stay just there.
     
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  16. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    Not sure - there have been quite a few articles where the DATA has been subpoenaed by the court, or Police prosecution. Try GOOGLING something like "manslaughter conviction based on car data recorder".

    This was the first article it brought up:

    Your Vehicle Black Box: A 'Witness' Against You In Court.

    But there's also warranty as well as insurance.
     
  17. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    Those actions take court orders, only after a major event.

    Absent such a serious event, the date remains sequestered. An insurance company, at least in the U.S., isn't proactively obtaining average consumers' info without their consent and using it to set their insurance rates or otherwise profile them. These insurance company dongles are installed only with consumer permission. And currently, they are offering all carrot, no stick.
     
    #17 fuzzy1, Oct 7, 2019
    Last edited: Oct 7, 2019
  18. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    Here, if a vehicle is involved in a FATAL, the vehicle is impounded immediately by POLICE.
     
  19. kithmo

    kithmo Couch Potato

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    LOL :LOL:
     
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  20. kithmo

    kithmo Couch Potato

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    And don't forget, anything that is bluetooth, wireless or GPS and permanently plugged into the OBD port can be hacked to gain access to the vehicle systems whenever the vehicle is turned on. I would remove it ASAP.
     
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