Strange Module Under the dash: 2014 Tacoma

I have had my Tacoma for a couple of months now. Today I was putting the cover back on the OBD connector under the dash on the driver's side which was hanging down, and looking for the electronic brake controller plug which is supposed to come with the towing package. (didn't find it) But I did notice a strange, thin black plastic module tucked up under there above the plastic kick panel and the parking brake. I could make out name "Firstech" on it. It stands out because it has a lot of wire connectors plugged into it and the tape covering the wires/harnesses is old-style small-width cloth type, so it looks out of place from the rest of the harnesses under there and makes it stand out. Any ideas? It also seems to have a connector that belongs to it with two fuses (30A) and what looks like a fuse with no amp rating on it. I also have a strange item stuck to the windshield behind the mirror. Flat piece of black plastic, about 3" long with a couple of wires coming out of it that has "ANT-AP" embosed on the cover. When I asked the dealer if they knew what it was: the answer was "Rain Sensor for rain senseing wipers.... : Hmmmmm??.... I just let it go..... :^)

I'm thinking the two items are related: Maybe remote-start or maybe the module that runs the Entune+ traffic and weather apps on the radio, or some aftermarket alarm system

Thanks in advance!

 

Sure sounds like a remote starter. Take to a place that installes them and ask, who knows u just might only need a remote to get it working.

 

Firstech, LLC. | A Connected Car Company Maybe?

 

Picture of it would be helpful in identifying it but most likely aftermarket remote start or alarm/tracker.

 

A photo might help.

An aftermarket alarm module will have two wires that are heavier gauge than all the others. These will bridge a cut ignition circuit wire to allow the alarm to prevent starting.

There can be all kinds of other wires for other functions and sensors -- but those two main ignition circuit wires are on every alarm.

 

Thanks for the quick replies folks! Really appreciate it. I did find a clue. There was a schematic label on the back that id'd all the connectors. The one that really caught my eye was labeled "drone". Firstech has a remote-start model with that word in the name. 4G and 5G comm etc. It appears to be a model that will talk to a smartphone app which locates the vehicle, etc etc. I'll get a pic and post it here.

My gut tells me to leave it as is/alone and don't mess with it or try to remove it since it doesn't seem to be doing any harm. Maybe just misses it's mother is all. hah! I'm worried if I remove it, it will disable something and brick the truck.

 

Pics as requested. Date stickers indicate install in not to distant past.

 

Apologies for the double pics

 

https://geeksquad.compustar.com/live/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/FT-RS-HCX-FT-DC3-HC-EN_201711062.pdf

 

Holy Moley!! Thanks! It sure has it's virtual tentacles in a lot of stuff! Very complex. So I'm leaving it alone and hope that it sleeps peacefully for the remaining life of the truck. lol ! Sorry I ever noticed the loose OBD port cover. No more "noticing anything" in the truck for me! ;^}

 

Could see if it works ...

 

Well if you ever have any strange electrical "gremlins" pop up you know where to start looking

 

I've removed alarms from two Tacomas now, @Williston. I don't like stuff infesting the electrics that I'm not going to use. The alarm on my Gen 1 seemed to be flatting the battery in a couple of days, and taking out all that crap seems to have fixed any parasitic drains.

It's not that big a deal, even though it can seem intimidating at first.

The manual linked by @2015WhiteOR is quite a find, from my experience. Most alarm companies do NOT share the details of their wiring diagrams.

But if it's playing nicely with your car's electrical system now, why not get a remote and put it into service? Could be a nice thing to have.

 

Following up on this old thread. Coming up on three years of ownership on my truck, and this gizmo has never made a peep. I decided to just leave it alone and let it sleep. I even gave it a wide-berth when I was running the wires to the front grille area for the outside temperature sensor of to Bob's Auto-dim/compass/outside temp rear-view mirror shortly after I discovered it.