What's this device hidden in the dash?

[untakenname]

Was routing some cables today in preparation of fitting a new double din android unit and came across this mysterious device in the dash.




Anyone know what it is?

There's no model code but a faded sticker which says Siemens, there's also a swollen battery pack so perhaps it's a tracker of some kind?

Don't want to pull it out of the dash in the dark incase it's linked to the alarm system so will wait till it's light before poking about further.

[gmaz]

Is that an Impreza? That's where they "hid" the tracker on mine.

[Graunching_dave]

It’s an RAC Trackstar tracker from back in the day. If it has a push button and speaker and mic (follow the wiring) then it’ll have had navigation function as well. That battery pack it well past it so I’d pull it out and get rid. There wasn’t any ability to integrate it to an alarm so you’ll be ok.

[untakenname]

Cheers, I'm always surprised by the niche knowledge contained on here.

I don't think it has navigation as there's no screen attached, will follow the wires back when it gets a bit warmer.

gmaz said:

Is that an Impreza? That's where they "hid" the tracker on mine.

Yep, was surprised how easy it was to pry up, not really that great a place for a tracker though I guess it gets good line of sight for the satellites .

Only had the car a short while but have noticed battery drain whilst parked, hopefully this device is the cause.

[remould]

They don't have a screen for the sat nav function,you speak to an operator who searches for the address and the instructions are sent to the device and given as a voice command

[gmaz]

Mine had speed camera warning bleeps (handy for an Impreza) but bloody annoying when my commute took me under all the cameras on the M25.

It was a huge waste of money, £500 to fit + monthly subs, then it went wrong after 18 months and I had to replace it at a cost of £350.