Results 1 to 14 of 14

Thread: Anybody know what this gadget is?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Location
    In the foothills of the Sandia Mountains
    Posts
    16,619

    Anybody know what this gadget is?

    I bought a used car online that was delivered last week. It has a gadget that is attached with 2-sided tape to the inside upper left of the windshield. I’ve never seen anything like it. I think there’s a lot of toll roads in Indiana, where the car came from, I thought it might be some sort of toll booth sensor? Any ideas?
    Attached Images Attached Images
    Please help support the Creek.


    "It's paradoxical that the idea of living a long life appeals to everyone, but the idea of getting old doesn't appeal to anyone."
    Andy Rooney



  2. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2018
    Location
    Michigan, USA
    Posts
    548
    I have a transponder for toll roads, and it sticks to the windshield with suction cups, but there is no other connection to the car. This looks like it might be some kind of antenna - maybe for satellite radio or a navigation system?

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    SE PA - Central Bucks County
    Posts
    65,685
    If that's on the new ride, perhaps its an antenna for an anti-theft system or something?
    --

    The most expensive tool is the one you buy "cheaply" and often...

  4. #4
    Cellphone extender/amplifier maybe?
    ========================================
    ELEVEN - rotary cutter tool machines
    FOUR - CO2 lasers
    THREE- make that FOUR now - fiber lasers
    ONE - vinyl cutter
    CASmate, Corel, Gravostyle


  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    Goleta / Santa Barbara
    Posts
    962
    ? Maybe part of an alcohol interlock? Do the wires trace back to the ignition switch or module?

    Odd to me is what appears to be the spring loaded trigger or plunger?

    Ask the seller?
    Last edited by Patrick McCarthy; 06-25-2020 at 7:14 PM. Reason: damn autocorrect

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Sep 2016
    Location
    Modesto, CA, USA
    Posts
    9,879
    Looks like it is for a remote control that uses IR or visible light. Not sure if it goes in or comes out of the car. I have seen similar devices mounted in a cabinet so you can control the radio or tv with the cabinet doors closed.
    It may just flash a red led to care off thieves. There may or may not be an alarm system tied to it.
    It could even be a pinhole camera.
    It looks like the nose is designed to go through a hole and the main body and cable are hidden behind.
    Bill D

  7. #7
    My toll transponder is stand alone box a little larger than a deck of cards that attaches to the windshield by my mirror. It probably has some kind of RFID chip on it, no batteries or power cord. I think there is a smaller version; mine is set up so I can switch it on and off depending on whether I am alone or a carpool.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Location
    In the foothills of the Sandia Mountains
    Posts
    16,619
    Thanks, I've sent the dealer the pictures but haven't heard back from them yet. I am almost positive it is not a factory install, it is too sloppy. I have no idea where the other end of the wiring leads to.
    Please help support the Creek.


    "It's paradoxical that the idea of living a long life appeals to everyone, but the idea of getting old doesn't appeal to anyone."
    Andy Rooney



  9. #9
    Doubt it's a toll transponder (even a very old one) - requiring it to be hard-wired in like that would be crazy.

    I bet it's a retrofit satellite radio antenna. The "spring" coil looks similar-sized to other satellite radio antennas, and having to put it on the windshield makes sense (need line-of-sight not obstructed by the metal roof).

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Falls Church, VA
    Posts
    2,335
    Blog Entries
    1
    Patrick, I assume you meant ‘spring loaded’. I don’t think that’s a spring. My first thought was a coiled antenna which means RF of some sort.

    Do you have a car fax report or something that would tell you the previous owner?

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Location
    In the foothills of the Sandia Mountains
    Posts
    16,619
    Mystery solved. It turns out that it is an aftermarket remote start. The car came with two start/stop fobs that I assumed were OEM. I don’t need a remote start and as anal as I am, I don’t want this thing stuck to the windshield. Can I just clip the wire and remove it?
    Please help support the Creek.


    "It's paradoxical that the idea of living a long life appeals to everyone, but the idea of getting old doesn't appeal to anyone."
    Andy Rooney



  12. #12
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Location
    McKean, PA
    Posts
    15,593
    Blog Entries
    1
    Quote Originally Posted by Bruce Page View Post
    Mystery solved. It turns out that it is an aftermarket remote start. The car came with two start/stop fobs that I assumed were OEM. I don’t need a remote start and as anal as I am, I don’t want this thing stuck to the windshield. Can I just clip the wire and remove it?
    Probably, but cutting it might start the car.... I would find the other end first and remove the receiver and the connections to the starter.
    Lee Schierer
    USNA '71
    Go Navy!

    My advice, comments and suggestions are free, but it costs money to run the site. If you found something of value here please give a little something back by becoming a contributor! Please Contribute

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    SE PA - Central Bucks County
    Posts
    65,685
    I agree with Lee. Get rid of the business end, at least electrically first, before you cleave that thang from the window view.
    --

    The most expensive tool is the one you buy "cheaply" and often...

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Location
    In the foothills of the Sandia Mountains
    Posts
    16,619
    Gone! I traced the wire to under the dash, pulled the connector, and pulled the wire out of the windshield trim. It was pretty easy. It was more trouble getting the adhesive glue off of the glass, Goof-Off to the rescue!
    Please help support the Creek.


    "It's paradoxical that the idea of living a long life appeals to everyone, but the idea of getting old doesn't appeal to anyone."
    Andy Rooney



Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •