My DCM disconnection odyssey.

So how I see it, your choices are:

1. Live with it.
2. Go back to stock.
3. Get a second opinion from another shop - maybe another location if it’s a chain. I’d sooner guess that you got the “go away/don’t want to deal with this” answer but it’s I’m not an expert on the specifics here.

 

Leaning towards eventually #2 where I also get away from USB and put evething on an iphone

 

Ok,
I have some hot news for everyone.
I was recently informed that the harness is finally ready for production.
and...
I just ordered the bypass harness from this place... https://www.autoharnesshouse.com/69018.html
Once it arrives, I will report my findings.
basically, it is a harness that will allow me to unplug the evil DCM and and completely bypass all the necessary connections such as the microphone and right hand speaker.
the DCM can just sit there, and die a slow and hopefully very painful death inside the dash as the internal battery slowly runs out of juice as it will no longer be plugged in and no longer receive power.

I am downright giddy for the arrive of the bypass harness.
Give these guys a call or email. They are incredibly friendly and accommodating.

All the best!

 

Fantastic news! Looking forward to your thoughts after you install it @madmax20 !

 

That's awesome! Though I'm slightly disappointed I emailed them for an update a couple weeks ago and hadn't heard anything.
Mine is currently "not transmitting" according to Toyota but looking forward to hearing your results and adding that as well.

 

Would you be willing to document what you did? Especially with screenshots? So I can show it to the people who put in my head unit. Thanks.

 

Yes,
I have haven't received it yet, but I'm totally willing to document the process. Hoping to do it in the next week or two. Need to find a batch of time though where my fingers won't freeze.
It's been cold here in Oregon lately.

 

BTW will this bypass work with a Toyota Corolla Hybrid 2023?

 

I was getting ready to inquire what model 4Runner you had before seeing your model. Currently I see nothing on the website but maybe you could inquire directly to determine if there are any similarities between the DCM on Carolla and 4runner.

 

You should be able to call in with your VIN and get it disconnected the same way

 

I just received the harness from "AutoHarnessHouse.com"
it comes in two parts.
Pictures attached.
Now, someone find me the time to dig into my dash and connect these babies.
I love the idea of having something totally reversible in case I need to go to the dealership for something.

 

Would be nice if that came with extensions so it could hang down behind the glove box to reverse it as necessary.

 

Based on the photos madmax20 posted and various posts on Tacoma World, here is what I think is happening. I have not verified this is correct.

Basically, the harness is plug-in solution that exactly replicates what greenshift56 on the Tacoma World forum did.

First, to make the speaker work, is the white 4 pin connector. That has the following connections:

• Pin 1 (speaker in +) to pin 3 (speaker out +)
• Pin 2 (speaker in -) to pin 4 (speaker out -)

Now, making the microphone work is only a little more complicated. That is the large grey connector. Here are those connections:

• Pin 6 (microphone in +) connects to pin 16 (microphone out +), black pair
• Pin 7 (microphone in -) connects to pin 32 (microphone out -), black pair
• Pin 5 (microphone +5v), red wire
• Pin 20 (ground), purple wire
• Pin 19 (accessory mode 12v), black wire next to purple

Pin 5 is labeled as MCVD and connects to MACC on the microphone assembly. ACC is an abbreviation for accessory mode, meaning the microphone should only be powered when the car is in accessory mode or fully on.

Pin 19 goes through the A/BAG fuse (presumably airbag) to the IG2-MAIN relay. I'm guessing IG2 stands for something like "Ignition State 2", that is, accessory mode.

The heat shrink that the black, purple, and red wire go into should have a 12v to 5v converter.

 

These are ready to buy on the AUtoharness site.

"These connectors will plug into the connectors that currently plug into the DCM module and retain the factory functions. This kit effectively rewires these vehicles so that the are wired the same as a vehicle that was not shipped with the DCM module."

Here's the link:
https://www.autoharnesshouse.com/store/AHH-DCM77

I'm ready to get rid of this %#*@ spy module in my 4Runner!

 

Cool, let us know how the install goes; I do miss my microphone on longer trips.

 

Hi all,
I just want to give a response to jojopuppyfish regarding other car models.
When you check out the link, the car models are listed.
Hope this helps.

 

Good day gentlemen,

I am pleased to report a successful installation of the DCM Bypass Harness made by autoharnesshouse.com.
Below is a description of what I did to install the harness and completely shut down and bypass my DCM.
I am not a technician and don't claim to be so I am not calling it an instructional. Do the same at your own risk.
I found it to be very easy and I was flying blind. The installation took me about an hour, but I'm sure a more competent person could have it done in in 15 minutes. I'm just an office working pencil pusher.
Here is what I did:

Note: that the numbers of the actions I took do correspond to the numbered pictures provided.

1. Remove the negative terminal from the battery. (even a miniscule risk of having an airbag explode in my face was not worth the risk).
2. Remove the small Panel Trim on the right side of the radio. If just pops off, use a plastic trim tool if you need to convince it a little.
3. The pull off the small Trim tab on the left - bottom side of the glove box.
4. Pull off the door trim on the right hand passenger door. It pops off.
5. Picture of trim removed
6. Reach underneath the glove box and air bag and gently pull down on the trim panel piece. It just popped off.
7. Pull on the left trim panel. Pull the front part toward the door, and once the tabs come loose, pull towards yourself.
8. Unscrew the little plastic cap at the rear of the Right Trim Panel. Then gently pull on the panel. It pops off.
9. Remove the two airbag bolts on the left and right side.
10. Then GENTLY pull out the airbag and set it down carefully.
11. Open the glove box and remove the 3 trim tabs to expose the bolts.
12. Bolts exposed, remove all three. There are also 2 more underneath. Remove those as well.
13. Drop the Glove box and rest it gently on top of the airbag.
14. DCM is finally exposed. Squeeze the small releases to unplug the gray and white connector.
15. Plug those same connectors into the bypass harness and tuck away.
16. Now I simply reversed the trim process. And reconnected my battery! Started the car and found that the DCM logo has completely disappeared from the Radio. Success!

Took the car driving for about 10 to 15 minutes. During that time, I experienced no hiccups or weirdness.
I am pleased with the results. Microphone and Speakers all work perfectly.

... Next step is an aftermarket remote start kit.

 

thanks for this writeup

I ordered mine the other day, as soon as they sent me the email they were ready to order.

How does one access the DCM log in the radio?

I would not like to take my 4runner to the dealer with this installed, cause they may say it voids the warranty...so glad its easily reversible.

 

This is amazing!!!

I will purchase the harness, I've been dying to do this. Thank you so so much!!!

 

You are the KING!

 

This is interesting.. I did opt out of the communication service and considered removing the DCM fuse, but this seems like the way to go.

With that being said, I have quite the few electronic mods happening for my 2024 4runner (Stereo Upgrade, Anytime Camera, integrated Dash cam, Remote Start, LED Upgrades, etc...) Any concerns with the impacts of the factory warranty with all of these mods and screwing something up? Probably my biggest fear is modding this brand new truck up too much and causing an issue.

 

Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act makes this illegal. They could deny you coverage for DCM repairs or something related to the wiring harness, but not, for example, for suspension or engine claims.

 

so excuse me for being a smooth brained moron,
but are you saying it would be OK to leave the DCM disconnected and take it to the dealer for service?

 

Ok Gentlemen, here is the scoop.
Only one day after disconnecting my DCM and bypassing it with the harness, I got a call from Toyota for a complimentary service and oil change. Mind you, I just took it in 3 months ago for the same..
Coincidence?
I think not. The toyota data collectors all of a sudden lost signal to one of their data mines and the matrix machines are angry and want to reconnect one of their data mining enterprises.

I can't believe the nerve.
These corporate dirtbags really are monitoring and collecting data even after we deny them permission to do so.
...
I will reverse the installation.
Take it in for the free oil change.
Then reinstall the bypass once again.
...
I briefly thought about leaving it in but truthfully, the jig is up.
I dont want them knowing what I did or claiming I voided the warranty. I would win in court, but it is better to avoid the fight altogether if possible.

 

The referenced act means a dealer can't deny you warranty service just because you have modified your truck. However, they can deny service if they have proven that your mods caused the issue (think high lift causing CV joint failure).

However, in practice, the protection to consumers seems minimal to me. If the service tech says your mod caused the issue, that may be enough proof for a third party overseeing the situation.

Also, even if the dealer is in the wrong in denying a claim, I think you would have to sue them to get anywhere, so it's probably not worth the effort to fight it. (Plus I definitely don't want someone working on my truck whose only motivation is a court order).

Edit: I didn't answer your question, but you could take it in for service, but just be prepared for them to tell you the system is not working, and getting questions about it.

 

Why not skip the dealer and change it yourself? Even the first two years / 25000 miles of service are barely worth the time, to me.

 

Yup, they know everything. I just got my 20k mile Toyota Care service and they called me when i was at 19k miles. It's not a coincidence they track the entire truck through the DCM.

I had a similar experience with my GTI before I took out the module from that one.

 

I don't think thats the case...

think of the time it would take to:
-ID you as a lost data mine
-Contact the drones to contact you for service
-Drones actually pick up the phone and call you

My dealership hired 3rd party contractors to schedule their service, you call the dealer number for service...get xfered to a call center who knows nothing
I just ext my service writer and he takes care of me...

Finally, I have not put my DCM harness on yet...
and I got calls yesterday wanting to bring my new toyota in for service.
I told them my 4runner has 120 miles and not due for service, but I had another toyota with service questions...

the caller said they could not help me

tl:dr I think the dealers are just trying to hustle more business cause they are slow

 

UPDATE:
I disconnected the harness and reconnected the DCM.
Took it to Toyota, and the guy checking me in was amazed to see me again so soon.
He literally said,

"Why did they call you in again so soon? You were just here a few months ago"
​

I responded snarkily, I don't know, but now that you dragged me in here, I want an oil change.

So they did their normal service and oil change and tire rotation.
They gave me paperwork that the 4runner has a clean bill of health with no diagnostic faults.

As soon as I got home, I disconnected the DCM and reconnected the bypass harness. I got it down to 15 mins now. Very easy.

If they call me again, i'll tell them to wait 6 months.

To me, this absolutely proves their system is monitoring our vehicles via the DCM transmissions, even when we tell them not to do it and revoke permission. I also find it slimy that they refused to tell me the real reason for the call.

Happy Traveling Gentlemen.

 

Honestly, I think that would take about 90 seconds if it's all working as intended. Maybe less?