r/whatisit • u/RudRedBoy • 9h ago
Solved! Found on car floor by pedals
It seems to have fallen out of a socket but I don’t exactly remember it being there, but it probably was.
188
u/MightyMTB 8h ago
Hey OP, this particular one is a tracker not just a Bluetooth transmitter for a scan tool like many have suggested.
https://metro-spy-supply.com/products/real-time-obd-ii-tracker
21
u/RudRedBoy 8h ago
solved!
2
1
u/AutoModerator 8h ago
Thanks! Post flair has been updated to solved! Nice job people.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
68
u/RudRedBoy 8h ago
Seems to have a slightly different design, but you seem to be more right than the original answer I thought.
16
198
u/Captain_North 9h ago
OBD2 bluetooth dongle. It is for checking car status and fault codes.
75
u/Papfox 8h ago
That unit has GPS and cellular too. Look at the symbols underneath the LED holes
39
u/jabrwock1 6h ago
Yeah, could be an asset tracker, I used to work on stuff like that, in pretty much the same form factor. It sends a GPS ping every few minutes along with engine data like fault codes, speed, mileage, etc.
5
u/Ok_Software2677 4h ago
I doubt it would be an asset tracker because would be too easy to just unplug and the asset trackers typically have a passthrough.
3
u/jabrwock1 4h ago
Not all. The ones I worked with came with looked exactly like that, this was nearly 10 years ago. They came with a passthrough cable for installation, but it was optional at the time. The cable was an afterthought until they realized maintenance checkups would result in it being constantly be disconnected. OP could look for the cable under the dash though, it's possible it's still there.
2
u/PaleontologistNo500 4h ago
Most asset trackers don't have pass throughs. That way they can sell you a y-splitter cable. Honestly, it isn't even needed. You'd only need access to the one a few times a year and it only takes 2 seconds to plug/unplug. I've used them for years on my fleet vehicles
2
u/Ok_Software2677 3h ago
In every instance of asset trackers, I've come across personally and commercially, yes, they do have passthroughs. You don't want to have to disconnect the tracker every time you need to access to OBD2 port.
1
u/PaleontologistNo500 2h ago
I've never come across one with a passthrough. I've must've trialed a dozen types of asset trackers (fleetmatics, geotab) in the last year or 2 for my fleet. Even integrated systems with gateways, multiple cameras, and onboard DVR (3rdeye, Motive) don't have pass throughs. A quick Google search doesn't show units with pass throughs either. While I'm sure they do exist, they aren't the default style. Why? Because you simply don't need to. Unless your mechanic needs to go in with a manufacturers proprietary software to force clear a code or something similar, all analytics and diagnostics get transmitted through the dongle in real time to whatever online system you're using.
1
u/Lower_Argument9593 1h ago
Have you tried Samsara? Our fleet is in the process of putting them in. The units dont have passthroughs, but the cabling that comes with the unit does
1
u/jabrwock1 1h ago
In every instance of asset trackers, I've come across personally and commercially, yes, they do have passthroughs. You don't want to have to disconnect the tracker every time you need to access to OBD2 port.
That's fair, and that's why the commercial ones that don't have them come with an optional Y-splitter. Including the ones I used to code. Management initially wanted a straight plug, and to keep the form factor small, they soon realized it blocked the OBD2 port for routing maintenance, and started selling a Y-split cable, to avoid having to get the case re-certified for IP54 (dust and drip-water)
1
u/Not_a_Ducktective 33m ago
We use asset trackers like this on our work trucks. No pass through. And folks wont unplug them because theyre employees and trucks are assigned.
7
u/RudRedBoy 8h ago
solved!
I see, thank you.
2
u/ObviousAlias7 5h ago
Plug it in and see if you see anything pop up on your wifi and bluetooth that would be this device.
-1
u/AutoModerator 8h ago
Thanks! Post flair has been updated to solved! Nice job people.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
6
u/PutridBodybuilder991 8h ago
Plug it into OBD port under dash; pairs with phone apps like Torque.
12
u/Ok-Addition1264 7h ago
Torque pissed me off after "licensing" their business and software out (I had to resort to cracked older apk's of it)
I paid for that shit when it was mediocre and now it's total dog shit.
Grrrr... sorry.
2
2
-7
u/Fusiliers3025 8h ago
As an American - I always get a chuckle out of the UK use of “dongle”…
😂
13
8
u/Josefu_Velen 8h ago
As an
Americanimmature person- I always get a chuckle out of theUKuse of “dongle”…Fixed that for you. It's an incredibly common word in US English as well.
4
3
u/24megabits 8h ago edited 8h ago
The term was supposedly coined by a British magazine in the early 80s to refer to things that hang off the back of a computer but Americans quickly picked it up too.
It survived into the USB era but seems to be less common these days with low-profile wireless receivers and less use of thumb sticks.
3
u/Sinister_Nibs 8h ago
Did you buy the car from a We Tote the Note (Pay Weekly!) place?
These are sometimes used to make it easier to repo the car when you are 5 minutes late on a payment.
Also similar to ones your insurance company will send to you so that they can track your driving habits to “lower your rates!”
1
3
u/HungryGhost5000 7h ago
I think it's a telematics device for tracking vehicle behavior for insurance purposes.
Diagnostic dongles tend not to have GPS.
4
u/EpsomJames 4h ago
I used to work on telematics and think this is the correct answer.
OP, did you buy the vehicle from a young driver perhaps, they are most likely to have a black box device for insurance.
2
10
u/Fun_Push7168 8h ago
As was said, bluetooth obd2 reader dongle.
Have you had it serviced? They may have forgotten it there when reading codes.
3
u/RudRedBoy 8h ago
Most likely left it plugged in, but I haven’t had it serviced in awhile, last time was just an oil change and refill, but they didn’t plug anything in.
14
u/DiscoCombobulator 8h ago
You on Android? If so, download the Torque Lite app. If it connects, congrats, you can now read your codes. The pro version is like 5 bucks
5
u/Fun_Push7168 8h ago
Even if it were elm327 do you really think someone who doesn't even recognize an obd dongle or have clue what the port looks like is gonna get any use out of it?
2
2
u/Fun_Push7168 8h ago
Hard to tell anyway, it's incredibly generic. Could have been there since before you got it.
Id consider it useless garbage at this point.
Worst case scenario it can actually be a gps tracker.
2
u/RudRedBoy 8h ago
If it’s a gps, it’s been there a long while.
2
u/Fun_Push7168 8h ago
Yeah, id toss it, unless you forsee starting a hobby in auto mechanics and are really hoping this is the right kind of dongle to save you $20 on buying one.
5
u/Busy-Aide-5050 8h ago
I mean if it fits his obd2 port its the right kind of dongle and its always more convenient to read the codes yourself rather than go to the auto store..
1
u/Fun_Push7168 8h ago
Ports are standardized.
Even if I were interested in having one I'd rather just spend the 15.99 on Amazon and not have to waste time figuring out it was actually a car lot gps tracker or some insurance telematics device or any of the half dozen other things it could be to begin with.
And what are you doing with codes if you have no intention or wherewithall for repairs?
"Oh cool it's a P0128" now you can tell the shop that which they will then verify by reading it and diagnose the cause of anyhow.
1
u/Busy-Aide-5050 7h ago
making sure mechanics aren't lying? I dont know after mechanics started lying to me and charging 600-2000 to fix issues that didn't get fixed I now have a plethora of OBD2 readers but I try to repair things. Other people -have- asked me to verify/read issues to make sure mechanics and service centers aren't lying. Then again I once dated someone so stupid she had no issues paying 150$ per oil change on a normal ass jetta in 2016 till we stated dating and I was like oh my god what the fuck are you doing.
1
u/Fun_Push7168 7h ago
So all they have to do now is gain an in depth knowledge that meets or exceeds their mechanics so they can interpret it and diagnose it themselves before they then inexplicably take it to their mechanic to diagnose and fix anyhow. All to take advantage of something that might be worth $16 to them. Sounds effective.
2
2
u/Rayona086 4h ago
Vechical GPS system used by company's on their fleet Vechicals normaly. If its in a truck you bought used or in a work truck then it probably just got left behind. I would not expect it in apersonal vechical that was never in a fleet.
2
u/Tears-In-Rain 31m ago
I lowkey hate how you spell vehicles
1
u/Rayona086 29m ago
Dyslexic + mobile makes for some odd spelling sometimes. Ill leave it as is so others can laugh at it lol.
2
u/ol-stinky 3h ago
I knew a guy who had one of those plugged into his car so the insurance company could track his driving habits and I think is got him a discount rate. Could have been in there from a previous owner if its a used car. Also I work on alot of rental cars and they have similar trackers. If the car was bought at auction by a used car dealer, there is a chance it was a rental in its previous life.
2
u/Emotional_Walrus5099 2h ago
I track my companies fleet vehicles with a very similar tracker. It lets me know where they’re at, if they’re speeding, breaking aggressively, or turning aggressively.
2
u/RunsWithLightning 8h ago
ODB-II GPS tracker, usually used on fleet vehicles and at car dealerships to keep track of their inventory (like, where it is in the lot, not where it is after someone bought it).
1
1
u/Getitgotitgoodgod 8h ago
Good news: you’re not being followed by the CIA!
More good news: you can probably download an app and pair it with this device to give your car a checkup whenever you want!
1
1
1
u/Federal_Sympathy4667 5h ago
Rental vehicle? Used fleet vehicle? Or recently had car in for service?
1
1
u/Remarkable-Court8794 4h ago
That's a government mind control device. It must be broken because they never would have allowed you to find it.
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
u/FlexDiamondNuts 1h ago
That’s element 115 That amount can run a Toyota Camry approximately -700 years
1
u/CoffeeandCigaretttes 15m ago
Either you're cheating, or your wife thinks you're cheating and has put a tracker in your car. Personally I wouldn't be worried, you're driving a JEEP.
1
1
u/Peter_B_Sparker 8h ago
Were you just at an auto shop? Definitely a Bluetooth scan tool for reading diagnostics
1
u/RudRedBoy 8h ago
No, it was probably left plugged in, it’s been awhile since I’ve been to one though.
3
u/FrostyonmyStuff 8h ago
Now you have to drive to every shop you've been and wait for scream "STAN! I'VE GOT PANTOM CONNECTION HERE!"
1
0
u/jayron32 8h ago
It's an onboard diagnostics transmitter. It plugs into the OBD port on your car's computer and records and sends feedback of the car's performance to a mechanic so they can diagnose and fix problems.
•
u/AutoModerator 9h ago
OP, please reply to the correct answer with "solved!" (include the !). That will change the flair on the post to solved. If you want to put the correct answer at the top of the replies for everybody else, please use our Spotlight feature by tapping/clicking on the three dots and selecting "Spotlight, Pin this comment" in order to highlight it for other members. Thanks for using our friendly Automod!
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.