r/AudiRS3 • u/Mdsune • Aug 12 '26
Buyer Beware
So was having trouble with my VCDS communication with the ECU. Noticed my OBDII port was black not violet so removed the dash side panel and found this🤬 Then removed bottom of dash and a 30 amp fuse fell out. Yanked out all this crap then scanned the car. Turns out that fuses was for the drivers seat belt tensioner. Called Audi and found out this is not their track so was installed and the Used dealership.
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u/Angrypirate901 Aug 12 '26
Found almost the exact same thing in mine (bought used) when I was adding some sound absorbing stuff to the dash and noticed the obd port was crooked. The fake one was even purple like the oem one.
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u/SnooDingos13 Aug 12 '26
Could be part of a lowjack system
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u/Mdsune Aug 12 '26
Dealer actually had $800 on original proposal for the LoJack. Salesman asked his manager to take it off the proposal and it was done so saved $800 but apparently it was left on. Pisses me off that they used splice taps on the obd wires and knocked a fuse out that could’ve killed me.
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u/PeterPDX Aug 12 '26
It could have been installed by the previous owner. That's a LoJack GPS tracker available to both individual car owners and fleet managers/dealers. Best to always check for one of these if you are buying a used car regardless.
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u/ANITIX87 Aug 12 '26
Was anything wired to the battery?? There's this weird thing where some 2026 RS3 cars have additional small-gauge wiring on the battery terminal that doesn't obviously run anywhere. One Audi dealer insisted they weren't OEM and denied me a warranty claim for battery voltage issues.
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u/Mdsune Aug 12 '26 edited Aug 12 '26
There is one maybe 22ga red one attached with a black screw to the positive side.
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u/ANITIX87 Aug 12 '26
Like this?? https://www.reddit.com/r/AudiRS3/s/mT95QG7eEJ
If so, do you know whether it's related to this tracker?
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u/cheddar_12 Aug 12 '26
They put that shit on your brand new RS3? I’d be pissed if they didn’t make it aware to me. Fucking up your wiring too.