Yeah, Subaru can have the Starlink disabled pretty easily by removing, essentially, a module behind the head unit. The only problem is that module also sends power to the front speakers. There’s been workarounds created, but it’s just asshole design at its finest.
Yeah, good point, perhaps there is some engineering rationale for having them powered the same, so that the speakers are guaranteed to work as long as the Starlink does.
Car manufacturers are required by law to offer the same tools that dealers use for independent repair shops to repair their vehicles.
Some cars are more programmable than others. BMWs for example you can change pretty much anything about the car. But most cars aren’t as modifiable as them.
I assume that it isn’t much technical knowhow to take a pair of wire snips and snip the power or antenna to the OnStar services. Least I assume that is what would be done
Its not illegal, but if someone starts selling these (car modification) services, and your car crashes, the authorities might hold them liable (even if its totally unrelated to the crash).
We should all start asking around our local auto shops that handle software and ask if they disable gps or internet services.
It’s not illegal to modify your own vehicle (yet) so jailbreaking these shitty cars would be an awesome service.
I doubt there would be any auto shops that can reliably deal with software side elements that aren’t the dealership, and the dealership would refuse.
True, much easier to remove the antennas and SIM cards.
Until you find out the cars won’t start without them :(
We’re in a scary new world… I’m glad I’m old with no kids and not in great health.
Yeah, Subaru can have the Starlink disabled pretty easily by removing, essentially, a module behind the head unit. The only problem is that module also sends power to the front speakers. There’s been workarounds created, but it’s just asshole design at its finest.
If it’s like “OnStar” where you could call for help, or they’d call you in an accident. I suspect that’s why it was done :(
Yeah, good point, perhaps there is some engineering rationale for having them powered the same, so that the speakers are guaranteed to work as long as the Starlink does.
You mean stuff like chiptuning? People do that all the time?
Car manufacturers are required by law to offer the same tools that dealers use for independent repair shops to repair their vehicles.
Some cars are more programmable than others. BMWs for example you can change pretty much anything about the car. But most cars aren’t as modifiable as them.
I doubt car manufacturers offer the ability to jailbreak their car OS to independent repair shops.
You’re looking for a hacker, not a dude who changes oil.
I assume that it isn’t much technical knowhow to take a pair of wire snips and snip the power or antenna to the OnStar services. Least I assume that is what would be done
Its not illegal, but if someone starts selling these (car modification) services, and your car crashes, the authorities might hold them liable (even if its totally unrelated to the crash).