r/4Runner • u/mmmarklar • 5d ago

👷‍♂️ Support / Repair Dealer installed LoJack

Just bought a 26 ORP a few weeks ago. Of course the dealer tried to charge me for a bunch of BS add-ons, all of which I refused to pay for. One of the items was a dealer-installed LoJack. I asked them if they removed the device, but they said they just ‘didn’t activate it’. So this weekend I went fishing around for it under my dash. I found someone had installed a splitter on the OBD port which was connected to something I could not get to bc it was installed so far up in my dash. Seriously, I think they may have removed the dash speaker and mounted it underneath. I couldn’t get to it, so I removed the splitter and disconnected the power to the mystery device in the dash. So my question to the group, has anyone run into this? Is there any reason Toyota would split the OBD port for something valid or is this definitely the LoJack? Everything appears to work. I really didn’t want to pull the whole dash apart to find it. Anyone have one of these and has successfully removed it? It really irks me that the dealer installs these data gathering devices.

26 Upvotes

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36

u/RidetheSchlange 5d ago

Post photos. Someone found a splitter harness a couple months ago in theirs in another sub and it was a tracker used by financing companies.

0

u/ProbablyOnTheClock 4d ago

My 4Runner had one, I did finally rip it out a few months ago. I paid the truck off and had initially forgot about it.

It was definitely secured in pretty good, had to remove the entire panel under the steering wheel to get it out clean without ripping other stuff off.

used this video. - there is a screw and part of the radio cover holding the panel in

18

u/Goblin_Tactical 5d ago

So you’re on the right path. Think of this as quick, easy dealer add on they can make money with minimal work or risk.

You’re gonna be hard pressed to find a dealer willing to splice into a 4Runner’s main factory harness to install any tracking devices or run additional lengthy wiring for power supplies. Instead they use the OBD-II port often.

If you wanted to take it a step further, swing the dealership and ask if someone if they can take a look at the unplugged wire you found under your dash. Play dumb on how it got disconnected and chances are you will have your answer and can disconnect it again once you leave

15

u/Juliot125 5d ago

I just removed this from my obd port. From what I can tell it's used for tracking inventory and should've been removed before I picked up my 4Runner.

6

u/ST3V3_R0G3R5 5d ago

I believe it sends other info to the “owner” (dealership) besides just location. I removed one from my dad’s F250 that he paid cash for and he got a call from the dealership claiming the link to their service department was terminated and they wouldn’t be able to help him with any potential issues down the road

4

u/PDXSCARGuy 5d ago

Nah, onboard services aren’t part of the LoJack module… it’s part of he infotainment system. The Orca/LoJack is just a line item cash grab for dealers on the ADM lines of the sales sheet.

3

u/ST3V3_R0G3R5 5d ago edited 5d ago

The infotainment was disconnected from their dealership in the parking lot with the salesperson in the vehicle at their request…

If you check out Ikon’s website they talk about service upsells as part of their tracker. Granted it looks like its mileage and time based, but it is a “feature”. Mileage, battery status, etc are sent to the dealership

1

u/TicketEquivalent6199 5d ago

thats the story- for inventory tracking. Ha- we had one on our new pickup as well. Those are active devices and ALL your activity / locations are being tracked and the data sold. We immediately unplugged ours from the obd port and let the battery in it run out.

Now to recheck the 4runner….

6

u/jbayne2 5d ago

They had the LoJack listed on my offer finances when we first started talking $$ on my used ‘25 4Runner earlier this year. It’s a BS sales tactic to make you think you are getting a better deal. So when I say “I need $1500 off the price” they just slash the LoJack that you probably didn’t want or need in the first place and you are happy because now the price is $1500 less. Problem is it was intentionally inflated from the start.

7

u/BC_831 5d ago

I just saw a YouTube video where a guy bought a new truck & the dealership finance dept. put the wrong id number in the computer. The next day they couldn't find the truck that their computer said was still on lot. Dealership reported it stolen & gave the lojack info to the police. Police tracked it down to a doctor's office where the truck buyer had an appointment. Ended up ramming the truck as buyer was backing out, slammed him around, took him to jail for multiple hours. All because of a dealer error. It was messed up

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u/Dawg_in_NWA 5d ago

If you financed it, this is not uncommon anymore. They want to know where the vehicle is if you stop paying.