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How to disconnect the tracking telemetry on the 5th gen 4Runner

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by zerosignal, Jun 13, 2021.

  1. Mar 14, 2022 at 2:05 PM
    #271
    Singleminded

    Singleminded New Member

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    Good news for the owners of 4Runners MY 19 and older: the telco companies are taking care of this problem for you. You’ve got a 3G connection and all the cellular companies are pulling down their 3G equipment, meaning your truck won’t be able to connect to the network and thus to the internet.

    Another reason I wish I had a 19 :rolleyes:

    https://www.caranddriver.com/news/g39301678/3g-internet-sunset-cars/
     
    Steel-Driver-76, 2Toys and ElectroBoy like this.
  2. Mar 14, 2022 at 3:29 PM
    #272
    McSpazatron

    McSpazatron New Member

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    It’s the way of this new world! And that’s not even the fine print! Im sure it says somewhere that you agree to let them change this “agreement” at any point without notice. It’s standard boiler plate language. The game is rigged!

    @ElectroBoy ‘s point about people griping about government control is a good point (also a concern I share).

    I certainly hope those that gripe about that gov control also understand how completely out of control the tech sector has gotten. If people share these concerns with their representatives, then maybe we stand a chance to preserve the concept and importance of respecting the individual persons rights to privacy. I know it’s a scary word…but “we the people” may need to to demand more “burdensome regulations” on the tech/business sector, in order to protect the individual unit of government (which is the individual person).

    Unfortunately, I don’t see many people nowadays that understand, much less articulate why individual privacy is even an important thing to preserve.

    In fact, when the topic of privacy and tracking/data collection by the tech/business sector comes up, it’s with mindblowing regularity, that the most vocal complainers of government “intrusion”, are the first to say “I have nothing to hide! What’s the big deal?”

    Maybe that’s because people havent applied logic to their own thoughts in order to be consistent their own opinions.

    Or it’s because we’ve been trained to simply parrot opinions fed to us without any further critical thought? Either way, it’s a problem.
     
    Last edited: Mar 14, 2022
  3. Mar 15, 2022 at 5:43 AM
    #273
    scanny

    scanny New Member

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    Not sure if it's the best solution, but the other day I was driving through snow/slush and had PCS warning light meaning that system is disabled. Upon close inspection I found that front radar sensor was covered with some frozen slush. So I guess if you want to disable pre-collision systems for good you might cover radar sensor with something, maybe painted black tinfoil for example.
     
  4. Mar 15, 2022 at 6:34 AM
    #274
    ecoterragaia

    ecoterragaia New Member

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    Thanks for posting this article. It's nice to see that the EU is taking privacy issues head-on. I can only hope it is getting some "important" people's attention here in the US as well.

    This is something I was considering as well. Hopefully I will never have to take it to a dealership, but that's probably unlikely.

    I found this very informative article a while back. It's from 2019, and it involves hacking into a 2017 vehicle (Chevy) to see what kind and how much data are stored in its various onboard computers. Turns out it's a lot, and they even found information from the previous owner of the car. So it's very likely that even without live transmission, the data are stored in almost perpetuity, and likely easily accessed by vehicle manufacturers or dealers. Just something else to consider when selling or trading in your "smart" vehicl.

    https://www.washingtonpost.com/tech...-car-know-about-you-we-hacked-chevy-find-out/

    Just as an update to everyone else, I have had the DCM fuse pulled for 3 months now and all seems good. No CELs or other problems, and I haven't seen the signal icon light up once. The app was also not being updated with mileage or other info either. One thing I found interesting in the fine print for the Toyota App was that data is transmitted via your cell phone when you hook it up to the vehicle via bluetooth. This appears to only be the case if you have the Toyota App installed on your phone, which made me decide to uninstall it (I was using it to see if it would update vehicle info after pulling the fuse). I'm not being a chicken-little here, I just found it odd that there was no way to opt out without just uninstalling the app. It also makes me wonder what kind of data is transmitted when using Android Auto or Carplay.
     
  5. Apr 26, 2022 at 7:10 PM
    #275
    Steel-Driver-76

    Steel-Driver-76 New Member

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    I'm getting closer to my 2022 4Runner order being filled. Has anyone had any more luck removing the SIM card from the DCM? I plan to opt out of all the data tracking services I can, but like others here, I'd like to physically disable it from my end, if possible. If nothing else, I'll disconnect the antenna and hope for the best.
     
  6. Apr 26, 2022 at 7:26 PM
    #276
    Singleminded

    Singleminded New Member

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    Not so far as I know. And antenna disconnect only seems to work in areas with weak cell signals. Just like your phone doesn’t need a long antenna, it seems the DCM can pick up strong signals on its own.

    The only solid solution I’ve seen is to pull the fuse on the DCM. Only downside for sure is loss of the cabin microphone. As others have posted, it seems you can disable the DCM this way for months before any error messages about the DCM battery dying. Indeed, I don’t think we’re sure such a message would ever appear on a 4R using the pulled fuse method.
     
  7. May 23, 2022 at 8:35 PM
    #277
    TX4runner21

    TX4runner21 New Member

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    Ya'll must be going to and doing some very important things
     
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  8. May 24, 2022 at 11:51 AM
    #278
    ESCT4R

    ESCT4R New Member

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    fun thread :popcorn:
     
  9. May 24, 2022 at 4:01 PM
    #279
    Tmiesowicz

    Tmiesowicz New Member

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    Why do we want Toyota to hear us swear at dumb people on the road & log that we floored the vehicle to pass them thus putting that person on the bad driver list to report to a insurance company and decline any warranty work due to ‘racing of vehicle’ hahhhhh
     
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  10. Jun 2, 2022 at 6:40 PM
    #280
    wolfman

    wolfman New Member

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    yes.
     
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  11. Jun 3, 2022 at 4:38 AM
    #281
    scanny

    scanny New Member

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    We just had lockdowns last year and who knows what future brings us. What could be more important than freedom : )
     
  12. Jun 16, 2022 at 10:14 AM
    #282
    Tmiesowicz

    Tmiesowicz New Member

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    I think I am now a lucky one, recently mine has pretty much not been working. Just got back from a 70 mile round trip didn’t get signal once! Lets hope.

    D40F9284-9265-4937-8D63-D9790FE799AB.jpg
     
  13. Jun 21, 2022 at 2:28 PM
    #283
    photo8

    photo8 New Member

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    The major carriers have, or will be turning off 3G service. Won't this affect the telematics on a lot of vehicles?
     
  14. Jun 21, 2022 at 2:41 PM
    #284
    ElectroBoy

    ElectroBoy Ad astra

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    wolfman likes this.
  15. Jul 8, 2022 at 7:39 AM
    #285
    blackcloud08

    blackcloud08 They're Watching Us....

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    To whom it may concern, I pulled the DCM fuse AND unhooked the antenna's several weeks back. The DCM/signal icons stayed greyed out for about a week and now they're completely gone from the screen like they never existed.

    Bluetooth works fine but the the bluetooth mic doesn't work at all. Smarty key unlock/lock/push button start all work fine.
     
    Last edited: Jul 8, 2022
  16. Jul 8, 2022 at 7:51 AM
    #286
    Tmiesowicz

    Tmiesowicz New Member

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    And the GPS still works I assume?
     
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  17. Jul 8, 2022 at 8:36 AM
    #287
    Sherk20

    Sherk20 New Member

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    Does this disable the remote start feature or mess up the lock/unlock??
     
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  18. Jul 8, 2022 at 1:13 PM
    #288
    blackcloud08

    blackcloud08 They're Watching Us....

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    Yes, I've not typed in a destination but the map still works like it should.
    I don't have remote start. The smart key lock/unlock/push button start still works fine.
     
    mattandkelly likes this.
  19. Jul 8, 2022 at 2:11 PM
    #289
    tt100

    tt100 New Member

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    Does the Bluetooth microphone piece work?
     
  20. Jul 8, 2022 at 3:22 PM
    #290
    Captain Spalding

    Captain Spalding . . .

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    I pulled the DCM fuse on my ORP and the hands free mic stopped working.
     
  21. Jul 8, 2022 at 3:37 PM
    #291
    tt100

    tt100 New Member

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    Thanks. I really want to dig into this and figure it out but I just don't have time at the moment. I do search on the telemarketing issue once in a while. I was hoping the XDA Developer's folks would have tracked this by now but I haven't found anything
     
  22. Jul 8, 2022 at 3:45 PM
    #292
    Captain Spalding

    Captain Spalding . . .

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    If you want have a look at this thread. It describes my interaction with Toyota to have the DCM disconnected, and also describes all the DCM feedback indicators on the infotainment screen.
     
  23. Jul 8, 2022 at 5:37 PM
    #293
    blackcloud08

    blackcloud08 They're Watching Us....

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    No the mic stops working.
     
  24. Jul 10, 2022 at 8:49 AM
    #294
    stoctoni

    stoctoni New Member

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    How far back in model years do I need to go to find a 4R that does not have telematics installed in the first place?
     
  25. Jul 10, 2022 at 9:58 AM
    #295
    blackcloud08

    blackcloud08 They're Watching Us....

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    2019- had the 3G stuff. The fuse for it is called "MAYDAY." Bluetooth mic still works when this fuse is pulled.
     
  26. Jul 10, 2022 at 10:18 AM
    #296
    TX4runner21

    TX4runner21 New Member

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    What are you guys gonna do about your cell phones?
     
  27. Jul 10, 2022 at 10:33 AM
    #297
    stoctoni

    stoctoni New Member

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    I'm aware of the conversation about pulling fuses and unplugging antennas in order to deactivate telematics. That isn't really my question though.

    I'll phrase my question differently and directly: what is the first model year that 4Runners included telematics technology?
     
  28. Jul 10, 2022 at 10:49 AM
    #298
    Tmiesowicz

    Tmiesowicz New Member

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    Keep paying the bill, all options that are sketchy are turned off on mine.
     
  29. Jul 10, 2022 at 11:44 AM
    #299
    blackcloud08

    blackcloud08 They're Watching Us....

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    I answered this. If 2019- 4runners have old tech, then this technology in this specific thread is pertaining to 2020+ models.
     
    Last edited: Jul 10, 2022
  30. Jul 10, 2022 at 11:49 AM
    #300
    blackcloud08

    blackcloud08 They're Watching Us....

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    Google Pixel with Graphene OS installed.
    Location ALWAYS off.
    Keep all antenna's(bluetooth, cellular, wifi) turned off unless you need them.
    Signal app for calls/texts.
    Burner email for any app registration.
    Only download must have apps through a sandboxed play store.
    Always on VPN.

    Minimizing tracking isn't hard, just have to decide if the inconvenience is worth it to you.
     
    Last edited: Jul 10, 2022
    Steve Berman likes this.
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