What is this?

[880surfer]

I bought my first 4Runner (2001) several months ago. I love it and am having an awesome time doing cool stuff to it (thanks to all the helpful people on this forum). This little thing was mounted next to the hood pop. I have no clue what it is. There are wires (twisted purple, black and red in the pics) coming down from under the steering column that plug into this little piece and a red light comes on when it's plugged in. The former owner screwed the mounting bracket straight into the plastic down there. Any ideas what it is???

 

[Mellow77]

Weird, my first thought was brake booster but the other pics don't seem to support that theory.

 

[Deaner]

Do you have an aftermarket security system/remote car start? if you do that may be what it is for.

 

[1985taylor1925]

thats how they watch you man. get rid of that thing

 

[880surfer]

Nope, no aftermarket alarm or remote start. Just the stock alarm and keychain remote for the door locks. The "Enemy of the State" in me thought it was a tracking device of some sort but I doubt it because of it's conspicuous location. I have no idea what a brake booster is.

 

[880surfer]

thats how they watch you man. get rid of that thing

i know right. bahaaa!

 

[880surfer]

i just popped the little circuit board out. it has 765, 312 and R1 stamped in gold and BBT in green. other than that there are no serial numbers or anything on the little guy...

 

[A.Wilson013]

That's a dealer installed security system... Helps them keep their insurance down on the lot. At the time of purchase you can give them what they ask to install a security system, or they disable it.

Karr makes it. Do a google... I think there's a way to re-activate it after they put the "de-activation" pack on. Which is what the module thing is.

 

[880surfer]

Thanks AWilson. I googled it up and don't think it's worth reactivating. Seems to be exactly what you said it was, just a cheap-o dealer security system that's barely that. Thanks again!

 

[A.Wilson013]

Thanks AWilson. I googled it up and don't think it's worth reactivating. Seems to be exactly what you said it was, just a cheap-o dealer security system that's barely that. Thanks again!

The only perk would be the LED, if yours is equipped. Just unplug the deactivator and it should flash when the vehicle is off. May act as a bit of a theft deterrent.