Removing the Modem and GPS from my 2024 RAV4 Hybrid
2026-05-16 09:30 UTC
Replies (15)
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@Kasane_Teto@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2026-05-16 09:54
what if you’re in a place you dk tho? /srsq
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@scala@lemmy.ml 2026-05-16 11:40
Very cool. Passing this on to other with the RAV4. Dumb question if the modem is removed, why need to remove the GPS?
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@Know_not_Scotty_does@lemmy.world 2026-05-16 12:37
FYI, toyota puts the part numbers on the connectors if you wanted to DIY this. Corsa Technic and Ballenger Motorsports will probably have the connectors. If not, you can get the shells and pins from Toyota once you know the part numbers.
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@BigDaddySlim@lemmy.world 2026-05-16 12:56
If this is a more complicated version for you and you want a quick and dirty one, just disconnect the fuse marked DCM in the fuse box under the steering wheel. This will kill it’s power, however there is a built in battery in the DCM module that will take a few days to die. This does cause the microphone to not work as well, but its an option. I did it when I bought my '21 RAV4 Hybrid over 2 years ago and it hasn’t caused more issues than the microphone not working.
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@caboose2006@lemmy.world 2026-05-16 14:12
My wife is worried (and so am I) about getting anything newer than like a 2016 for this reason. I’m glad we’re able to rip that shit out of newer cars
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@quexotic@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2026-05-16 16:07
I think my next car purchase will be contingent on their disabling this for me before purchase. Just sayin
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@favoredponcho@lemmy.zip 2026-05-16 18:37
Congratulations - your car no longer has the capability to transmit telemetry data. Of course it may still be captured to local storage and can be physically collected later, but for me that was fine. Yeah, and it’s unknown how much telemetry the car keeps. Hopefully, the removal of GPS means the car no longer logs every location the car travels, but without that there are some reports that modern vehicles keep years of GPS data locally, so it’s possible for an intruder like law enforcement to see everywhere you’ve ever taken your vehicle.
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@Unglue1857@lemmy.world 2026-05-16 17:23
Anyone know if this possible with hyundai kona 2024?
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@Soapbox@lemmy.zip 2026-05-16 21:47
Just gonna keep fixing my 19yr old Toyota until I can’t.
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@perishthethought@piefed.social 2026-05-16 17:01
Great write up. Something I’ve thought of doing many times with my Honda. The plugs will only fit on the correct wires, there’s no way to get it wrong Haha, bet I could find a way to mess that up.
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@oOAlteredBeastOo@lemmy.world 2026-05-16 22:48
Thank you for posting this. These devices are getting out of control. They are marketed as a convenience to the driver, when in actuality they are capturing and selling your location and driving habit information to data brokers and insurance companies. Sometimes dealerships will even add an aftermarket tracking device to their vehicles without telling you. I removed one that I found in a Crosstrek I bought last year. The device I removed was made by iKON Technologies, and is ‘intended’ to be used for lot management at the dealership. The dealership tried to sell me an overpriced security plan associated with the GPS tracker. I declined. They left it on anyway. What they don’t tell you is that iKON Technologies installs them at no cost to the dealership, and that the tracker is used for repossessions and capturing data to be used for targeted marketing or sell to data brokers. Some devices have the ability to inhibit your starter and ignition system like the one in this manual.
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@DarrinBrunner@lemmy.world 2026-05-16 23:28
Fucking brilliant. We need much more of this--more public awareness of this type of hack.
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@mrgoosmoos@lemmy.ca 2026-05-17 15:43
Important: Even after the modem is removed, if you connect your phone to the car via Bluetooth then the car will use your phone as an internet connection and send all the same telemetry data back to Toyota. that is so fucking insidious
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@blargh513@sh.itjust.works 2026-05-17 19:49
I did something similar to a 5th gen camaro. It was much easier. Take out the cell modem unit, open the case, pull out a physical hardware pin bridge that connected it to the OnStar unit. Done. The only thing I lost was an in-dash compass heading. The modem was 2g so its dead now anyway, I suppose I could put the bridge back and get the compass. I won’t though, that takes effort and road signs have directions on them. There is always the sun too.
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@rekabis@lemmy.ca 2026-05-18 20:27
I wonder if there is an equally in-depth info for the 2004 4Runner. Have someone else who’s totally nontechnical who wants this done.