Button by OBD2 Port

Tonight, while plugging a scanner into the OBD2 port on my 2024 TRD Off Road, I discovered this tiny button:



I'm familiar with the "tire pressure reset" button near this location on the last generation, but this button isn't labeled. Anyone know what it does?

I pushed it briefly (of course I did) and nothing blew up. If it *is* the "tire pressure reset"...it sure seems cheaper and more flimsy than the old design. It's almost tacked on like an afterthought whereas the Gen3 had a nice button integrated into the panel.

 

you pay for any extra "alarms" or "recovery" packages?

 

Looks like some sort of dealer installed alarm

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/remnants-of-dealer-lot-alarm-system-still-installed.644855/

 

I did not pay for any alarm system. But the sales guy DID have the ability to unlock the truck via an app on his phone, as discussed in that linked thread. I can't even see where the wire from the switch ends up in the panel; it goes way up behind the dash.

If this is a dealer-installed alarm, what the hell stops it from being hacked so that anyone with an iPhone can unlock the damn truck? I'm so tired of dealing with modern techno-nonsense on cars.

 

Looks like the same KARR alarm system Toyota dealerships have been installing and charging “extra”.
They’ve been doing it for years.

Even on the 2024 models.

 

The app to unlock is the Toyota app and has nothing to do with the aftermarket alarm the dealer had installed.

Some dealers install alarms and trackers before any customer ever sees the vehicle. In some cases it's just to protect the vehicle from being stolen off the lot. Since it isn't a Toyota accessory, the work is usually farmed out to a cut-rate stereo shop who will butcher the wiring under your dash. The dealer typically doesn't pay a tech to remove it when you buy the vehicle.

 

Yep. Valet button for the KARR aftermarket alarm system. https://www.driveaccord.net/threads...alet-button-in-my-2020-accord-1-5l-ex.559430/

 

Man, I'd be pissed if the dealer hacked up the wiring harness to install this crap on my brand new truck.

 

Yea, I’m pretty angry about it. I traded in a 2005 Tacoma and this is the first time since then I’ve dealt with new cars, so I had no idea this was something I even needed to worry about.

Splicing into the ignition harness just to make life convenient for sales guys so they don’t have to fetch some keys. Ridiculous.

I debated taking it to the dealer and demanding they remove it, but even if I get them to agree to that, the work will be performed by some 17 year-old junior tech who doesn’t give a damn. I’d rather just do it myself and make sure it’s done right.

 

If the truck is running fine now.
Leave it alone.

It’s not a big deal. Even less of a deal if you didn’t have to pay for it.

 

Nah, there’s stories of these things going bad years down the road and leaving people stranded because the car won’t start. Plus, anything can be hacked and this thing is just one more vulnerability in the system.

It’s coming out. It’s just undoing some T-splice crimps and resoldering the snipped ignition wire. The only tricky part is disassembling all the plastic dash pieces without breaking anything.

 

I’ve had to pull similar systems out of my track cars because they were causing battery drains. I also had them undo my last 3rd gen purchase because they installed an alarm when I specifically told them not to.

Just FYI, even if they remove the alarm, warranty will not cover anything related to the dash harness or replacement.

 

What is it with these dealers doing this hack job crap?