Has anyone disabled telematics / LTE and GPS antennas?

[Mr._Bill]

I have the radio…but was told I couldn’t even add it.

If the Remote Start feature isn't factory installed, along with the 8.4 Uconnect, it is not available from the app or website. It can be dealer installed later, but only works using the provided FOB.

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[IamPro2A]

Very possible.

Yup. It's one thing having a receiver with no antenna on it. A transmitter needs a fairly specific load on it.Transmitter antennas can't even be a random length, they need to be tuned to frequency used. So probably your best bet is simply block the signal.

 

[Kevin_D]

The problem with disconnecting the antenna is that it can possibly burn out the transceiver by attempting to transmit with no antenna attached. Of course, if that's your goal, you wouldn't be trying to get it repaired under warranty.

Possible, but highly unlikely. The power levels are so low that not much will happen to the unloaded transmitter.

Kevin

 

[seven30]

I think we can all agree this thread has gone from an “is there an off switch” to, well, this. Members here ask all the time for help turning something off (e.g., ESS), or something on (e.g., LED headlights). We spend hundreds/thousands of dollars for things and gizmos that alter vehicle settings, features, and/or mechanics. I think some requests are brilliant, and to be honest, some make no sense to me. If someone wants to turn something on or off for their own reasons - then more power to them. Just don’t hurt anyone in the process is all I personally ask.

So having said all that. I believe the answer to the OP’s original question is “no”. At least for right now. If someone figures out an off - it would be nice to hear about. If for nothing else than to know it’s something else we can change on our Jeeps. And we all love changing things on our Jeeps.

I’m going back to looking at wheel and bumper p?rn.

Right no off switch short of wirecutters.
But we have a right to know who, what and why is using data generated by our private activities and should have ability to op-out at a minimum.
This is inline with calls to rein in big tech's usage of private data.

 

[dcmdon]

The problem with disconnecting the antenna is that it can possibly burn out the transceiver by attempting to transmit with no antenna attached. Of course, if that's your goal, you wouldn't be trying to get it repaired under warranty.

Very possible.

Yup. That would be fine by me.

Yup. It's one thing having a receiver with no antenna on it. A transmitter needs a fairly specific load on it.Transmitter antennas can't even be a random length, they need to be tuned to frequency used. So probably your best bet is simply block the signal.

You assume I would have a problem with the transceiver burning out. I would be thrilled.

 

[IamPro2A]

You assume I would have a problem with the transceiver burning out. I would be thrilled.

Transceiver - a radio that combines a transmitter and a receiver into a single unit and sharing some circuits and components.

Unlike older, higher powered and lower frequency radios like CB with discrete transmitter final amplifier transistors , there is no guarantee that if the transmitter PA ic chip in one of these things cooks, the receiver portion would still function. A well designed system might have some safeguards in place for transmitting with no load, but since this was not designed to ever see that condition in an operating vehicle, I could also imagine saving a few pennies to skip an unneeded circuit.

 

[LetzGoState]

I’m having a different problem. I want my LTE antenna to provide the hotspot and there is an issue with Uconnect and AT&T service at this time. Stellantis knows it’s a Uconnect software issue but they haven’t resolved the problem yet.

I was reading on a different forum that in Stellantis vehicles that there is a fuse to the telematics system that is not in the main fuse Block location. It differs from vehicle to vehicle. Those that want to disable it might be able to figure out where it is. If you do, I want to know too. Seems the only fix right now for my problem is to intermittently pull it and put it back in to reset things.

I’m not good at reading electrical diagrams, or I’d figure it out myself.

 

[jsalbre]

I’m having a different problem. I want my LTE antenna to provide the hotspot and there is an issue with Uconnect and AT&T service at this time. Stellantis knows it’s a Uconnect software issue but they haven’t resolved the problem yet.

I was reading on a different forum that in Stellantis vehicles that there is a fuse to the telematics system that is not in the main fuse Block location. It differs from vehicle to vehicle. Those that want to disable it might be able to figure out where it is. If you do, I want to know too. Seems the only fix right now for my problem is to intermittently pull it and put it back in to reset things.

I’m not good at reading electrical diagrams, or I’d figure it out myself.

The telematics system is built directly into the radio. There’s no separate fuse to remove. You can see this as the LTE antenna connects straight to the radio.

If you don’t want the telematics services to function, unplug the LTE antenna at either the back of the radio or at the antenna itself. Problem solved, no errors, no nothing.

 

[LetzGoState]

The telematics system is built directly into the radio. There’s no separate fuse to remove. You can see this as the LTE antenna connects straight to the radio.

If you don’t want the telematics services to function, unplug the LTE antenna at either the back of the radio or at the antenna itself. Problem solved, no errors, no nothing.

Gotcha. I actually do want it to function. I use the hotspot. I just don’t have connectivity (can connect to the Wi-Fi hotspot but no data). I did just find a fuse to pull and try to reset (fuse 97). I’ll be giving that a shot.

 

[dcmdon]

Gotcha. I actually do want it to function. I use the hotspot. I just don’t have connectivity (can connect to the Wi-Fi hotspot but no data). I did just find a fuse to pull and try to reset (fuse 97). I’ll be giving that a shot.

What does 97 do? How is it labeled? Where is it located?

Thanks

 

[jsalbre]

What does 97 do? How is it labeled? Where is it located?

Thanks

97 is labeled “radio/tbm”. It’s a Yellow 20a. Fuse locations are listed on the underside of the fuse box cover.

 

[LetzGoState]

What does 97 do? How is it labeled? Where is it located?

Thanks

 

[dcmdon]

And it doesn't shut down the actual radio. Just the tranciever?

You may have just found my holy grail. An easily defeatable. Easily reversable. Non destructive way to turn off telematics.

 

[jsalbre]

And it doesn't shut down the actual radio. Just the tranciever?

You may have just found my holy grail. An easily defeatable. Easily reversable. Non destructive way to turn off telematics.

No, removing that fuse will disable the radio as well.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

If you don’t want the telematics services to function, unplug the LTE antenna at either the back of the radio or at the antenna itself. Problem solved, no errors, no nothing.

When mine can't make contact, I also lose some of the apps, such as off-road pages. Those aren't resident without making contact with the mothership. When I have no cell connection, several things won't work - just so folks know ............ if they are ok without those other apps like off-road pages, go for it, but "telematics" isn't the only thing lost.

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