What is this module?

[jaime]

I bought a 2010 Yaris with remote keyless entry, but as far as I know, no alarm. I did not notice this small module attached on the lower dash plastic until a few days ago and took a look under the dash. It looks like it connects to a module attached to the steering column with a large zip tie. What is it? I opened up the small module on the outside and it has an LED and a button. The module under the dash has a MIN/MAX dial which, if this is an alarm, would make sense that it would be a sensitivity adjustment.

[auxmike]

Sure ain't factory!
Who drilled up that panel?

[Brian]

I've got one too. I think its for the engine immobilizer or keyless entry. It was installed when I bought my car. Mine is a little different. I have a button on mine.

[jaime]

The car was supposed to be brand new and it only had 51 miles (which were put on when the car was driven from Van Nuys, CA to Long Beach, CA where I bought it). The Van Nuys dealer must have installed something on there.

Brian, the little box that is screwed onto the panel does have a button, but I didn't take a picture of that side. I looked up the numbers on the white stickers and was not able to find anything. Only thing left to do is cut the zip tie holding the module to the column and try to read what is written on the side facing the column.

[127.0.0.1]

u bought bait car LULZ!!!!!

[Alien Mantis]

I have a similar module installed on mine.
The dealership installs them, from what I hear. It has something to do with an optional alarm system. They told me the car would not start, if the module was not in place. Whether or not I bought the alarm system ( which I did NOT ), the module needed to be there.
The guy at the dealership also told me if a thief looks in the car and sees it, he might think it had the alarm option. The dealership gave me free etched glass, which is also supposed to be some kind of theft-deterrent.

You know how dealerships are..... they can mumbo-jumbo you to death if you let them.

:frown:

[Altitude]

Dude, that's some sort of tracking device. I'd get rid of it ASAP.

[mick.wheelz]

that does not look legit at all, id be getting rid of it.

[jaime]

I took another look at the module and some of the wires coming out of it go to the driver's side kick panel, where it is connected to the wires there with some taps. Another few wires go up into the steering column.

[Altitude]

Have you noticed any strange vehicles in the neighborhood?

[Kiz]

If the module has a min/max adjustment I would suspect it is the shock sensor for an alarm system. You can adjust the sensitivity to knocks and vibrations so not every tool with a 6" cannon is going to set off your alarm when he drives past...

[Palmer812]

I would also guess shock sensor for alarm since it has an adjustment on it. If it didn't have that I would guess gps tracking device. Alot of dealers here install them on cars that are financed. If you don't pay they know where to come.