How to disconnect the tracking telemetry on the 5th gen 4Runner

I don't think so. It's coming everywhere soon

 

So far I understood from this thread that if you remove DCM fuse 4Runner doesn't send or receive any data, meaning all remote controls won't work and location won't be sent. And it certainly cannot be driven remotely, without removing DCM fuse bad guys can only start/shutdown engine or lock/unlock doors.

 

Coming from a 2001 Cherokee and a 2001 Buick this is all new to me! Now here I am with a 22 Taco and a 23 4runner. I don't like it and don't use any of this crap.

So after catching up it seems removing the antenna connection is the trick. And then to defeat the remaining weak signal I am going to place a small piece of faraday cloth over the nub.

I have a bunch of it I was testing stuff with. I don't like going super fast on my motorcycles with my phone knowing it so I wrapped it and it works! Phone will not ring/send/receive. Tinfoil and microwave ovens don't work! LOL. My phone rings in both!

But faraday cloth works amazingly well!

I stash the keys in a homemade faraday box at night.

IF IF IF these vehicles ever get stolen you will not be able to replace them as these generations are obviously gone soon.

$32 NVSUNG Faraday Fabric — Military Grade Conductive Material Shields RF Signals (WiFi, Cell, Bluetooth, GPS, Radiation), DIY Wireless Shield Fabric (43"x118" in)

https://www.amazon.com/NVSUNG-Farad...PRP9H23?keywords=NVSUNG&qid=1700515159&sr=8-3

 

If we could shut off ad tracking on computers along with this, It would be even better.

Amazing of how spoken conversation can generate into ad emails or ads on websites..

 

Another good new article

https://www.securityweek.com/16-car-makers-and-their-vehicles-hacked-telematics-apis-infrastructure/

 

Pulled the connections for the Antenna on my 2021 today.
Fun puzzle to pull apart.
Glove box has 3 screws on top vice the single one shown in the manual.
Still easy enough.
No DCM signals in or out and NAV and XM everything still works of course as it should.
Enough telemetry out there on my with my government locator in my pocket and online life.
There is no such thing as metadata, so one less data repo where my info is at risk of data leak is always better.
Plus, Toyota already got my cash for this fine vehicle, not interested in being a product for them.

 

An interesting side effect is the Weather Display on the head unit.
It used to annoy my OCD nerve that when I chose "info, weather" on the head unit, it showed the weather for another town across the state border, always when I was sitting in my driveway. It also almost never showed weather for the town I was in.
With DCM antennas unplugged, the head unit now is using GPS and XM data for weather location.

 

Neat, I called in to turn off my DCM and I saw a toggle in the settings to get weather solely by radio too.

Watch out about the antennas though since I read somewhere that someone who did that still got some reception if they were close enough to a tower.

 

Meh....a blip here and there rarely, no biggie. Constant telemetry prevention was the goal.

 

Maybe a dumb question, but does live traffic still work?

 

With my DCM off, it took a minute or so but I got area traffic! (I never used it but the Traffic Events Nearby and Predictive Traffic Map features are available too.)

 

Thanks! That's good news. I guess the traffic data comes in via GPS then?

 

My best guess is via FM radio (or "HD Radio") since that gets me radio (captain obvious here) and weather data - so I bet traffic comes in in that way too.

 

This is a great thread ... thank you OP for starting this important but underrated discussion.

 

Bumping this thread.

I just read the whole thing and seems easy enough to disconnect the DCM with the fuse and also the blue and white cables to the antenna. I think I will do it on my 23 ORP.

So I have an input on all this. I bought my brand new GTI in 2016 and it came with CarNet which is the same thing as this whole DCM thing and also like OnStar. Like all of y'all, I went down this rabbit hole to get it disconnected from my GTI and did it. The GTI was more complex because I had to remove panels all the way from the left side light switches, the gauge cluster, and the panel that holds the radio. The whole CarNet module came out and put a little copper wire bypass to keep the bluetooth mic working, which it did work. No codes, no nothing. No CarNet connectivity, no more email updates; I even attempted to push the SOS buttons and nothing. So my GTI is "off grid".

So, I have a few questions:

1. Has anyone tried to open the DCM box and tamper/remove with the eSIM? Wouldn't there be some sort of some chip that stores the eSIM? Theoretically if that's removed and there's no signal, it should all be completely dead even if connected, but you should be able to keep the bluetooth mic.

2. Has anyone bypassed the wire to keep the bluetooth mic working? Anyone identified it?

I only ask because I'd like to keep the bluetooth mic. I don't use it all the time but I do from time to time.

 

I think the best option is still phoning in to disable it before going farther. Technically the DCM is powered here but it’s not connected like an unactivated cell phone and you still get the microphone.

But cracking it open for SIM/eSIM access intrigues me.

 

I did that, and also did that with my GTI. But I wanna know if anyone has tried my method that I did with my GTI. It would completely kill the telematics this way without losing the mic.

 

Thought this was interesting. This article is free, but it also references a New York Times article about the same thing that's behind a paywall.


How your car might be selling you out to insurers

https://cyberguy.com/news/how-your-car-might-be-selling-you-out-to-insurers/

"A case in point involves a software company owner from Seattle who found his car insurance premiums increased by 21 percent unexpectedly despite a clean driving record, according to a New York Times report.


This led to the discovery of a data broker that specializes in generating consumer risk profiles for insurers, which had comprehensive records of his driving habits, including details on speeding, hard braking, and rapid acceleration.

This practice is widespread, with drivers across the country often unknowingly giving consent for their driving data to be shared with third parties, including insurers. This consent is frequently hidden in the extensive privacy policies and fine print, making it difficult for the average consumer to notice. Automotive manufacturers, in partnership with data brokers, are leveraging systems to gather and analyze data directly from internet-connected vehicles.

While there are claims that the objective behind collecting driving data is to encourage safer driving habits through feedback programs, it appears the primary motivation is financial profit. This data collection not only impacts insurance rates but also feeds into a growing market where driving data is treated as a commodity."

 

I read the above article earlier this week. It confirms what I already expected and where things seem to be heading.

There are many reasons I'm not interested in having my driving tracked. Aside from all those, insurance companies have already proven time and again that they are not working with our benefit as a goal. In an ideal world for them, we'd all pay mandatory coverage and they'd have zero payouts. Pretty sure that's a textbook case of misaligned incentives.

So no, not interested in having them "look out for my safety" or "save me money since I'm such a responsible driver".

Dammit. Now I have a new project for the 4R ;-0

Jason

 

Yes, heading to an awful place, but we are already BAD. I hate not having an elegant solution to this. From what I've gathered nobody knows entirely how to best get rid of this system. Best meaning simple, effective, no side effects lol.

 

I’m having my doubts about rate increase claims. I drive like a maniac sometimes (lol) for decades and yes, even in my 2022 trail and my rates have never gone up. I guess they dont care about little ole me in Chester County….

 

BIG BROTHER: "Yes. We know. Your premiums will be adjusted shortly."

 

haha!!

 

What will they do about everybody with electric driven transportation?

 

Would it still be ok with Electronic Fuel Control computers and Etc? or would only the carbureted 4runners still run ?

 

Sadly if you want EMP resistance you’ll need something pre-computer but then you’d only have the fuel in the tank and anything you have stored range-wise. We’d probably end up on bikes, animals - I’m not sure if being unpowered can protect computers but if e-bikes can survive those, are probably the most feasible no-grid/minimal available power option but that’s probably guessing for another thread.

I believe the insurance sharing is currently opt-in but it doesn’t necessarily mean it won’t be game in a deal, data breach, a change in your insurance company’s calculations in the future. Best not to feed the Big Data beast if we have the choice.

 

Thanks for posting this

 

There is a fuse that you can pull that will disconnect the sos system, that kills the telemetry being able to call out. It also kills the mic in the car, conveniently enough. Still looking for an easy way to disconnect the cell antenna, which is also tied to the HD antenna in the radio.

 

I believe it’s been found that disconnecting the antenna doesn’t disconnect the DCM, only slashes its range.

 

I'm thinking I should do this...
I'm at 1600 miles on my 2024... I have not called Toyota to request opting out of Data Services... Should I just disconnect the DCM fuse and call it good?
Also, I keep hearing that bluetooth microphone doesn't work. Does this mean that I can't use the microphone if I'm using Apple CarPlay?

About the only valuable feature is the handsfree microphone while in Apple CarPlay. I can't think of any other benefit... I do like seeing the miles from the app, but that is honestly just "fluff" I can live without. I do my own maintenance on the truck and don't need Toyota's help with that.

Seems like a no-brainer to do this for the additional privacy.