Mystery connector behind cubby (and more!)

[Chris TX]

When installing my Beltronics STi-R, I removed the cubby (quite easily, too) and found some interesting things. I searched and didn't see anyone else discover this.

1. There's a large connector just tucked into a hole as if to connect to something in the future
2. The plastics around the cubby suggest another little glovebox type storage is/was in the works for that area

 

[JerryNycom]

Thought maybe retro fit for parking sensors, but I see you already have them? Hmm......

 

[hiroshiy]

OBD2?

 

[Chris TX]

OBD2?

No, that connector is just above the driver's dead pedal. It's also shaped a bit different.

 

[NigelM]

It's an OBD connector. That was regularly used by the service techs for diagnostics in the early days; I don't know why they then switched to using the one behind the dash end panel (left) but it was sometime early this year. IIRC there is also a third OBD connector behind the passenger foot well.

 

[Fuzzylogic]

It's exactly the same connector as is used on the Roadster, it has permanent 12V and various CAN busses on it.
Was also used to program the TPMS sensors.

 

[montgom626]

Great place for hiding stuff. I would love to see a video on how it is opened.

 

[artsci]

When installing my Beltronics STi-R, I removed the cubby (quite easily, too) and found some interesting things. I searched and didn't see anyone else discover this.

1. There's a large connector just tucked into a hole as if to connect to something in the future
2. The plastics around the cubby suggest another little glovebox type storage is/was in the works for that area

View attachment 38866

That has long been known to exist. It's for some diagnostics evidently. The's no space in the that area for anything but the cubby when a center console is attached so I doubt that any changes are in the works.

 

[scottm]

OK, with cubby pulled off... what's the trick to get it back on!? The clips sticking up at the rear are preventing the plastic lip at the rear of the cubby from fitting up into the slot it needs to go above. If you've had this off, you'll know what I mean.

 

[MikeS85D]

Thanks for the reminder - I need to remove the Bluetooth ODB2 dongle I have in the car I am trading in when I pick up my 85D on Saturday

 

[Chris TX]

OK, with cubby pulled off... what's the trick to get it back on!? The clips sticking up at the rear are preventing the plastic lip at the rear of the cubby from fitting up into the slot it needs to go above. If you've had this off, you'll know what I mean.

It's been a while since I pulled it out, but I think the sides need to be popped out a bit and the whole thing snaps back in.

 

[scottm]

Thanks for the reminder - I need to remove the Bluetooth ODB2 dongle I have in the car I am trading in when I pick up my 85D on Saturday

..just wondering what your obd2 dongle is actually doing in the car... there's no obd2 data lines in Tesla S, because there's no emissions

Hey, are you new here or something!?

 

[FLDarren]

OK, with cubby pulled off... what's the trick to get it back on!? The clips sticking up at the rear are preventing the plastic lip at the rear of the cubby from fitting up into the slot it needs to go above. If you've had this off, you'll know what I mean.

One side can snap pretty much all the way in. I used a long flathead screwdriver to bend the plastic a bit allowing the other side to snap in place. If you've had this off, you'll now what I mean.

It did take about 15 minutes to snap it back in...the first time.

 

[Chris TX]

..just wondering what your obd2 dongle is actually doing in the car... there's no obd2 data lines in Tesla S, because there's no emissions

Hey, are you new here or something!?

Que? OBD = On Board Diagnostics. It's not just for emissions, and yes there is an active OBD2 port under the driver's side dash. You can get a bunch of cool info from the OBD2 port.

 

[SW2Fiddler]

It's exactly the same connector as is used on the Roadster, it has permanent 12V and various CAN busses on it.
Was also used to program the TPMS sensors.

Is this OK to power a phone-mount with, that I want to put below the screen but have not wanted to run a USB or Cigarette Plug cable across the center canyon?

 

[scottm]

Que? OBD = On Board Diagnostics. It's not just for emissions, and yes there is an active OBD2 port under the driver's side dash. You can get a bunch of cool info from the OBD2 port.

Oh, i thought the obd style port was a token offering that had only power lines in it and no data lines, read that somewhere here. My bad.

The ports behind the cubby are proprietary, obd2 non-standard.

 

[David99]

Does anyone know where to find a connector of this type? I'd love to hook something up, but prefer not to mess with the connector or cables themselves.

 

[FLDarren]

Does anyone know where to find a connector of this type? I'd love to hook something up, but prefer not to mess with the connector or cables themselves.

Amazon.com: SOLAR ESA30 OBD II Memory Saver Connector: Automotive

This is what i used to power my dash cam.

 

[sorka]

Oh, i thought the obd style port was a token offering that had only power lines in it and no data lines, read that somewhere here. My bad.

The ports behind the cubby are proprietary, obd2 non-standard.

I haven't gotten any OBDII scanner to work on that port yet. First car I've ever owned where they apparently got away with not providing required diagnostic data through this port.

 

[Dborn]

Does anyone know where to find a connector of this type? I'd love to hook something up, but prefer not to mess with the connector or cables themselves.

My suggestion? Go to an electronics hobbyist supply store. the good ones should be able to rig up something you can connect reliably with. You probably are not going to find the actual mating connector. I did just this with the connectors to the trunk lights. That too is a proprietary connector. The electronics mob found me sockets to fit the pins with an attached piece of cable. By fitting two of them, i was able to reversibly tap in to the connector. Since I am in Australia, i cannot suggest a particular store in the USA. Here in Australia, no problem.