In-dash advertisement opt-out

[Vtur]

It bothered me that my Gladiator reported telematics data (mileage, tire pressures, oil life %, and such) to the mothership but I also wanted to prevent the automatic and unwanted downloading/installing of new firmware or any other updates (and ads too as it turns out). I disconnected the two cellular antennas from the head unit but left the Sirius/GPS antenna and AM/FM antenna. I'm not convinced that solved the problem, though. I still got monthly vehicle reports for a while that seemed accurate and I don't know which channel they use to update the firmware (cellular or satellite). I didn't terminate the connectors so it is possible, I suppose, that it could still communicate cellularly when in a strong enough signal area. Also, the service manual says there is a telematics box under the dash that has its own cellular radio but danged if I can find it; it is definitely not where the manual says it should be.

A short 3-4in coax cable inside the head unit is enough to pulls some signal if close enough to a cell tower. Best to disconnect at the air card PCB and soldered on a 10k resistor. That will leaves just about .5in of PCB trace left. According to the Airprime specs, the sharkfin antenna located behind the headlamp switch is RX only, called RX2. If that doesn't do it than disconnect the card altogether is the only option.

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[Badunit]

I saw instructions somewhere about removing the cellular card in the UConnect head unit. I wasn't all that keen about mucking around inside the head unit so I tried disconnecting the antennas first. One day when I'm bored or paranoid I might open it up and remove the card, if I can find the instructions again (or if I feel like winging it).

 

[MT1]

I wonder though, if the main LTE antenna is disconnected, leaving only the RX2, how the transmission of telemetry still occurs, the uploads. I'll disconnect the satellite antenna and see what happens, if the UConnect apps remain "unlicensed".

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