Modern cars are computers on wheels that send home nonstop telemetry about you. In this post I remove my 2024 RAV4 Hybrid's modem and GPS to prevent that :)
If this is a more complicated version for you and you want a quick and dirty one, just disconnect the fuse marked DCM in the fuse box under the steering wheel. This will kill it’s power, however there is a built in battery in the DCM module that will take a few days to die. This does cause the microphone to not work as well, but its an option. I did it when I bought my '21 RAV4 Hybrid over 2 years ago and it hasn’t caused more issues than the microphone not working.
To kill the antenna with these you need to pull trim off the car to access the antenna plugs. Pulling the fuse takes 30 seconds and doesn’t require tools unless you have fat fingers like me and can’t grip the fuse to pull it.
Also, this could kill your FM/AM radio access depending on how things are wired and that may not be for everyone.
To kill the antenna with these you need to pull trim off the car to access the antenna plugs.
Is that supposed to be…hard? I’ve removed trim panels from so many different cars, it’s such a trivial thing that I don’t even think about it anymore. 99% of trim panels are held in with plastic clips, you just grab it and tug a bit harder than normal. Pops right off.
If this is a more complicated version for you and you want a quick and dirty one, just disconnect the fuse marked DCM in the fuse box under the steering wheel. This will kill it’s power, however there is a built in battery in the DCM module that will take a few days to die. This does cause the microphone to not work as well, but its an option. I did it when I bought my '21 RAV4 Hybrid over 2 years ago and it hasn’t caused more issues than the microphone not working.
Or just kill the antennas with these.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00BXUYDMM and https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0DCBBYQR6
To kill the antenna with these you need to pull trim off the car to access the antenna plugs. Pulling the fuse takes 30 seconds and doesn’t require tools unless you have fat fingers like me and can’t grip the fuse to pull it.
Also, this could kill your FM/AM radio access depending on how things are wired and that may not be for everyone.
Good to know these exist though
Is that supposed to be…hard? I’ve removed trim panels from so many different cars, it’s such a trivial thing that I don’t even think about it anymore. 99% of trim panels are held in with plastic clips, you just grab it and tug a bit harder than normal. Pops right off.
Why does a car need a microphone?
For hands free phone calls
but my phone has a microphone
Yes, and many regions currently ban any phone usage while driving, including taking phone calls. A hands-free system makes this task much easier.
but my phone microphone can be used during a call with car audio
Why don’t you stick your phone in your pocket or a cupholder and then make that phone call.
it’s mounted on the dash
you’re really not getting the whole “car speakers, phone microphone” setup, are you
Not legal in several areas.