Where is the data link controller normally located

[JBR14]

On my daughters car, near the clutch there was a few things dangling. I assumed it was a Lo Jack that the dealer installed. But, last time I took the car in for the oil change, they asked if I had a tune on the car, bc they couldnt get the OBD tool hooked up. I really didnt think anything of it. Last night I looked at it, and the data link port was dangling near the OBD port. Is that the normal location? In looking, I see a part number for a Lojack down there as well. I assume whomever installed at the dealer did a poor job. With all that being said, is there much involved in removing the Lo Jack?

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[Skye]

https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/threads/s550-electronic-modules-and-their-networks-a-primer.195769/

The link above will point you to some reference documents, highlighting where some of Ford's electronic modules are and what they look like.

For left-hand drive cars, the On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) port is on or near the lower left corner of the dash. The backside of that ODB port is what connects each of the car's Controller Area Network (CAN) segments.

For the data links, there are a few.

While the car is Wi-Fi capable, it's difficult to see this type of link supporting LoJack or anything of that nature. This link can be disabled via the onboard menus.

The shark fin antenna on the roof supports Sirius XM and GPS references. Lojack might use this link to confirm the car's location. The wiring leaves the roof antenna and terminates in the unit behind the screen in the center console.

In the rear end of the car, the bumper section, are two cellular antennas, left and right sides. Ford's Telematics system uses these to communicate back with Ford. LoJack might use these units to talk into the LoJack network.

The Telematics Control Unit (TCU), the module connecting the cellular antennas to the internals of the car, is located in the trunk. The TCU has the car's VIN or as-built data, so Ford knows what specific car it is talking to.

The TCU and cell antennas are powered by fuse #8, a two-position fuse. Many pull this fuse to disable the cellular link with Ford. Fuse #8 is located with the interior Body Control Module (BCM), right side of the interior, near where the left-hand drive passenger's feet would rest.

As to how LoJack might be utilizing any one of the described links, or is interfering with Ford's Telematics system or physical OBD connectivity, I can't say. But I can imagine there's some physical splicing involved.

It reads like you know where at least some of the wires are. I'd start with physical tracing homing in on any wiring that looks un-Ford. You're probably right in that, whatever was used by the previous owner or car seller is impeding on the Ford systems. Others with LoJack experience could provide better insight as this thread progresses.

Good Luck. We're always interested as to what people discover with these things. If you can update us, we'd like that.

 

[JBR14]

So, it looks like whomever installed lojack, disabled the OBD port. The port on the datalink module works. But, there is no power to the OBD port that is mounted. If I plug the scanner / reader into the data link, it pulls codes (there is none), the vin, etc. I assume there is a splice somewhere that was done wrong. We bought the car used from a honda store, and in looking at all of their cars now, they have installed lo-jack. I am assuming that they installed it before we bought it. Un installing it is probably not something I want to tackle. I imagine it will cost a decent amount to have an installer remove it.

 

[S550HPP]

i would take it back demand remedy, also to a lojack dealer for their assessment, and back to Honda. Must be MOT non compliance.

 

[Skye]

Thanks for the update.

It appears they disconnected the car's CAN from the original GateWay Module (GWM) / DataLink Connector (DLC), connected that to a second GWM/DLC, then spliced LoJack into the second setup.

There was a recent thread of another, similar situation. Different devices and effects, but the owner left with the aftermath. It's becoming more and more common trackers or disablers are installed on used cars, but not removed at sale. I can't imagine how many are circulating, active, their owners not suspecting a thing.

I can appreciate anyone hesitating to return and asking for its removal. The same level of quality involved in the install might be used to disconnect it. Having a shop experienced in alarm and electrical systems remove it, while posting a detailed, tactful review on Google as a warning to others, could be a better route. And a BBB complaint, explaining the time, effort and $$$ un-F'ng their work; this could be a route to get comp'd while having someone you trust remove it.

 

[luca1290]

It's becoming more and more common trackers or disablers are installed on used cars, but not removed at sale. I can't imagine how many are circulating, active, their owners not suspecting a thing.

I can appreciate anyone hesitating to return and asking for its removal. The same level of quality involved in the install might be used to disconnect it. Having an shop experienced in alarm and electrical systems remove it, while posting a detailed, tactful review on Google as a warning to others, could be a better route. And a BBB complaint, explaining the time, effort and $$$ un-F'ng their work; maybe this could be a route to get comp'd while having someone you trust remove it.

As creepy as it is from a privacy perspective this is also a serious tampering of the car's electronics integrity.
That gateway is there for theft resistance (all PATS commands are filtered by the gateway) and cybersecurity integrity. It is also a vital component of the diagnosis infrastructure and the VCM scanner talks directly to it and gets access to the various buses through it.

I 100% quote what Skye said, also, these dealers that are playing with your privacy and I think it's better for us, as consumers, to call them out loud.

 

[Boyd]

x2 per Skye.

 

[JBR14]

I think I will look for a lojack installer to un-install it. To the previous point mentiioned, I dont want the dealer that installed it to touch it. I also think here, it wont pass inspection if the OBD port wont work. I dont think I could say, no, just use this other one.....

 

[m3incorp]

I would go to the dealer and tell them to have it uninstalled, especially if it wasn't disclosed and it prohibits use of the of the OBD ll port. That's if you bought the car recently.

 

[Cobra Jet]

So, it looks like whomever installed lojack, disabled the OBD port. The port on the datalink module works. But, there is no power to the OBD port that is mounted. If I plug the scanner / reader into the data link, it pulls codes (there is none), the vin, etc. I assume there is a splice somewhere that was done wrong. We bought the car used from a honda store, and in looking at all of their cars now, they have installed lo-jack. I am assuming that they installed it before we bought it. Un installing it is probably not something I want to tackle. I imagine it will cost a decent amount to have an installer remove it.

Are you determining the module in your hand with part number “MRT3” as “LoJack”?

The reason I ask is this (and an FYI about LoJack):
I’ve had prior vehicles were I had LoJack installed. LoJack is only installed by a licensed LoJack representative and it is not installed or allowed to be installed by any other shop or Dealer or Tech.

The LoJack transmitter is also not installed into an “obvious” location like where found - nor would it be just “tied” up under the dash. The unit is concealed in a location that only the LoJack installer knows and not even the Dealership or vehicle owner is allowed to know its location. The transmitter is also live all the time, even if main power is cut or battery removed…

If a vehicle owner was getting a true LoJack system installed for security,, it won’t have any vehicle manufacturing names or numbers and again it won’t just be slopped in just anywhere.

As others have said above, that part in the image, in your hand, with the Ford # on it is usually referred to as the gateway module. Think of it like a router; it’s tying in the vehicle’s modules for communications. If your OBD port isn’t working, then it’s possible that module is the culprit and is defective. They have been known to fail.

 

[JBR14]

Are you determining the module in your hand with part number “MRT3” as “LoJack”?

The reason I ask is this (and an FYI about LoJack):
I’ve had prior vehicles were I had LoJack installed. LoJack is only installed by a licensed LoJack representative and it is not installed or allowed to be installed by any other shop or Dealer or Tech.

The LoJack transmitter is also not installed into an “obvious” location like where found - nor would it be just “tied” up under the dash. The unit is concealed in a location that only the LoJack installer knows and not even the Dealership or vehicle owner is allowed to know its location. The transmitter is also live all the time, even if main power is cut or battery removed…

If a vehicle owner was getting a true LoJack system installed for security,, it won’t have any vehicle manufacturing names or numbers and again it won’t just be slopped in just anywhere.

As others have said above, that part in the image, in your hand, with the Ford # on it is usually referred to as the gateway module. Think of it like a router; it’s tying in the vehicle’s modules for communications. If your OBD port isn’t working, then it’s possible that module is the culprit and is defective. They have been known to fail.

I understand that first pic is the gateway module. In the second pic, the part number on that harness is for a lojack pass through module. What I dont know is what is that open plug in the second pic? Looks like an obd plug.

 

[Cobra Jet]

Up under the dash, is there any other similar looking open OBD-ish port?

If not then I can only think that the gateway module has to be plugged into the open plug/port in your image and that may bring the mounted OBD test port under the column back to life again….

I do not have any wiring schematics to confirm, but maybe someone else can?

I only see 2 images in the post - which has the MRT3 module (with female end), the female mounted OBD test port and the male OBD hanging…. so I hope I’m not overlooking or missing anything from the discussion… ?

 

[gfcobra04]

Saw YouTube video the other day of a guy who had purchased a Toyota Corolla and they had put some sort of a GPS tracker piggybacked onto the OBD port. Didn’t look like what you had on there, but it could be something similar. He has another video after this tells a little bit about what happened when he confronted the dealer about what was installed on his car. He’s actually leaving his lawyers office when he post the second.



this is the other video.

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