Where is the Telematics box on a 2023 Rubicon?

[Badunit]

Anyone know where the telematics box is on a 2023 Rubicon? Supposedly it is next to the steering column but I don't see anything there or anything under the dash that looks like it. It is item 1 in the rendering.

And here is a view looking up from the floor at my steering column. Nothing anywhere near it.

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[OldSarge]

If you are looking to disable the sending of your data to Stelantis, there was a great thread last week on that topic. In the middle of that thread it had a link to instructions on how to pull the data modem out of the head unit, FWIW.

 

[Badunit]

Are you saying there is no separate telematics box when you have the premium radio? The service manual talks about the telematics box as if they all have one, but it sure doesn't seem to be where they say it is on mine.

Instead of disassembling the head unit to remove the cellular radio, a while ago I disconnected the cellular antennas from it. I pulled the pink (supposed to be for 3G UConnect/Guardian) and burgundy (4G hotspot) and left the yellow (GPS/SiriusXM) and white (AM/FM) connected. But something appeared to still be logging and transmitting. I continued to receive "health" reports each month in my email that had my correct mileage and tire pressures. Either they were really good at guessing or it is jumping the air gap to the antenna connector, or it has an internal cellular antenna or something else is transmitting. Now that my Guardian service has expired, I doubt I'll get new reports but I am still wondering how they got the data for the last few.

 

[Mr._Bill]

If the cellular signal is strong enough, just disconnecting the external antenna doesn't prevent the connection.

 

[Badunit]

I suppose a really strong signal could explain the signal getting through.

Still, though, the service manual says there is a telematics box and the wiring diagrams show an "Emergency Assistance Module" that appears to be the telematics box (all the same connections as described for the telematics box). Are the manual and wiring diagrams incorrect or does it have a telematics box like they say it does. Does anyone know definitively one way or the other?

 

[Mr._Bill]

I'm not sure that anyone who posts here knows for sure. The Telematics box is likely to only be included on the trucks equipped with a cellular capable head unit, unless it is the same (black) box that also does the data collection for all other events.

 

[kb5zcr]

You could probably try removing /shielding either 5 or 6 (I have no idea which), It would be like wrapping your cell phone in foil.

Where did you get your service manual? How much did it cost?

 

[MT1]

Are you saying there is no separate telematics box when you have the premium radio? The service manual talks about the telematics box as if they all have one, but it sure doesn't seem to be where they say it is on mine.

Instead of disassembling the head unit to remove the cellular radio, a while ago I disconnected the cellular antennas from it. I pulled the pink (supposed to be for 3G UConnect/Guardian) and burgundy (4G hotspot) and left the yellow (GPS/SiriusXM) and white (AM/FM) connected. But something appeared to still be logging and transmitting. I continued to receive "health" reports each month in my email that had my correct mileage and tire pressures. Either they were really good at guessing or it is jumping the air gap to the antenna connector, or it has an internal cellular antenna or something else is transmitting. Now that my Guardian service has expired, I doubt I'll get new reports but I am still wondering how they got the data for the last few.

Hey BadUnit, did you ever locate the telematics unit?

In a couple Ram/Cummins forums, it was found that the telemetry data is sent not using the cellular radio or antenna, after 2022/21. Mopar parts list a couple modules, Telematics Module - Mopar (68646092AA) or Telematics Module - Mopar (68573599AB).

 

[Badunit]

Hey BadUnit, did you ever locate the telematics unit?

Nope.

 

[MT1]

There definitely is a separate device sending data to UConnect (TBM 2.0), and used for cellular calls from Assist or SOS. With the cell and WAP antennas disconnected from the head unit on my truck, the Assist app shows the same signal strength as my phone. When the Assist app is started, the Bluetooth connection to my phone is dropped. The BT connection cannot be restored until the Assist app is closed. Assist is able to start a call, without a phone.

covers a '22 Wrangler. I've not been able to get a good view on my truck yet.

For anyone interested in TBM, what is in it,

 

[Badunit]

All the diagrams (including the parts manual for a 2023) show a big module with several connections right beside the steering column. I see nothing there. But the part number for a 2023 (as posted by MT1 and also found in the parts manual) also brings up this very different looking module. Next time I go looking, I will be looking for this smaller module instead. But I've seen eBay listings that have photos of the larger module with the part number on the label so most likely this is the wrong photo for the part. I'm going to look anyway. If I end up one day finding the big unit under there somewhere I will come back here ashamed.

 

[MT1]

Lemme know if you find it! I've not found it anywhere under the driver side dash, or behind the head unit, or behind the center control panel, or behind the SOS/Assist panel. Tomorrow will see what is behind the panel covering the driver door harness.

This thing is well thought out. The TBM has it own backup battery, providing 15' of talk time, its own speaker, uses the LTE antenna on the speaker bar and its own LTE antenna.

The shame is that Stellantis is a creep about the data collection and usage. And Stellantis knows it is being creepy, otherwise why move the thing every year or two (driver's side, passenger side, above the glove box, behind the head unit).

 

[Vtur]

Has anyone located this TBM box? I want to open this up and disconnect from the mothership.

Here's what the TBM look like.

 

[Badunit]

Maybe on a nice spring day I'll start searching for it again.

 

[Vtur]

From my experience with AT&T cell/gps modems in an industrial application, and reviewing wiring diagram. Both cellular and gps signals connectors from the head unit homerun to the TBM. The TBM has it's own onboard cell antenna, backup battery, and a mic. This is why disconnect at the head unit doesn't work. I believes it will works by removing the onboard LTE antenna and disconnect LTE 1 or 2 connector (one from sharkfin antenna) at the TBM. It might located behind the backseat?

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