So, I showed up to work today, and just happened to look in the passenger footwell and I saw movement. I looked closer, and hanging down from below the glovebox area was a flat black disc with a wire attached... 3.5-4" in diameter.





Does anybody know what this is? I took a quick spin through my Bentley manual and realoem.com, however, I don't even know what it is related to.

Also, does anybody know where it is supposed to mount? It looks like it has a sticky backing, but didn't look like it could be stuck onto the bottom of the glove box; it is too wide.

Thanks for any help!

-Chase

 

If thats a wire going into it, I would assume its an antenna of some sorts. Looks a lot like a xm or sirius radio antenna. Only thing is that those usually are mounted outside of the car. Try and follow that wire back to the source if you can.

 

That was my first thought as well, however, I do know that there is no hookup for or sirius/XM radio in my vehicle...

I'll trace the wire as a last resort, I just don't feel like taking the darned glove box out again!

-Chase

 

Make that three, looks like an antenna to me to. First thing I thought.

Keep us posted.

Bonus Comment: Nice pic, the second one.

 

Thats what the Government is using to read your mind man.

 

I wonder if it's a LOJACK device?? It's an antitheft tracking system that police utilize to locate a stolen vehicle. I have it in my MINI; just don't know where it's located, lol.

 

There's nothing stamped on it like a part number or brand name?

 

ALIENS!!!!!

 

Question: Do you have navigation system on this car? If so, then that is probably the GPS reciever

 

The guys in the black helicopters put it their!!!

 

It's nothing. Just cut it off and trash it.

 

My best guess is that it's the receiver for your remote key fob (if you have that).

Second guess is that it's the temperature sensor for your climate control (again, if you have that). Hard to believe a radio antenna (or any kind of transmitter) would be buried behind the firewall... lousy reception there.

You could always cut the wires and let us know what stops working!

 

The navigation/GPS receiver is intertwined with the radios antenna that's why the '03's' with the Nav have shark fins and can't have stubbies.

 

Just wondering if you're the original owner or if you bought it used.
Flip it over, on the side with the sticky stuff on it... is there a part number or manufacturer name? I would say Sirrius antenna, but I've never seen one that looks like that. They are usually a little thicker.

 

Also it would not work under the dash. I think its a temp sensor.

 

all this excitment is going to kill me... what is it already!!!???

 

Is this an R50/53 or an R56.

If it's an R56, I'm gonna guess that it's a keyfob detection device for the Comfort Access package (keyless go).

An R53 has the alarm/unlock antenna in the rear view mirror, so that's not it. Maybe a bluetooth antenna?

It's interesting that it's stuck to the back of the glove box... like it's supposed to be communicating with a device to be stored in there. Maybe some sort of signal booster for a cell phone... like those little circuit board stickers that they sell to stick on the glass of your car to supposedly help cell phone signal reception.

Is your car wired for an aftermarket nav system? It could be a traffic signal antenna to get traffic news for your GPS.

 

It's a 2003 MCS. So R53.

 

Nah... the temp sensor is in the dash for the auto climate controls...
I'm leaning on something aftermarket... GPS maybe?

 

Hmmm... I don't think that MINI had a bluetooth option back then from the factory, so here's my guess:

1. Aftermarket bluetooth system - either a bluetooth antenna or a signal booster for the system.
2. Aftermarket alarm component... perhaps an antenna to transmit a signal to a keyfob to tell you what part of the car alarm was triggered
3. GPS traffic antenna

 

it's kinda thin for a GPS satellite antenna... most of 'em are about 1.5-2 cm thick and they usually need line-of-sight.

I think you will have to follow the wire and tell us where it goes!

I also like the lo-jack idea. They are pretty secretive about what their gear looks like and they do a pretty good job of hiding all the components. It's not unheard of for a person to buy a used car with lo-jack, not even knowing that it's installed until the car is stolen and reported to the police, triggering the LoJack service.

 

I just got looking at that second photo again. If you look just below and to the left of the disc, you will see a metal rectangular box with a quick connect coming off of the side... 2 black wires, a blue and a white wire. that doesn't look OEM to me. I think you've got something aftermarket stuffed back there.

 

dun dun dun, and the mystery continues. I haven't taken the glove box out yet, however, I am on my way down to take it out....

I am not the original owner. I can't remember if I am the 2nd or 3rd owner, however, I am definately not the original owner...

I shall try to find out where the wires go!

-Chase

 

So, I've removed the glovebox, and I have found quite an interesting setup....

You can see where the little antenna (?) had previously been stuck, I guess the double-stick tape finally gave up



Panning over, you can see the wire leading to the antenna, notice the mess of wires to the right



They really weren't neat about re-taping



I found some form of ID# for the antenna(?)



I followed the wires from the antenna(?) and it lead to a little black box... GASP!!!



This is what the setup is comprised of, by the way, the little black box appears to be grounded.



I did happen to find some sort of label on the back of the black box.



And this is what is in the black box... I didn't see any form of label or name to give me an idea as to what all of this goes to.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------

After doing a search on the FCC ID (IDILJU-03U), only a few places showed up with matching results. One being an ebay sale ( http://cgi.ebay.ph/RF-MODULATOR-BOOS...mZ360043323309 ) with the little box being described as an RF Modulator. There didn't seem to be a whole lot of information that might be able to shine some light on what these things do...

I also found a discussion on BMWsuperbikes.com ( http://www.bmwk1200s.com/forum/viewt...f177c0b6bf88df ) commenting on how a small box with the same FCCID on it was blocking something they wanted to get at..., however, I still couldn't really find anything that gave a concrete answer as to what on earth these things are.

Any other insight!?

-Chase

 

I got a couple of better pictures of what you were talking about:





The second picture makes it look like it is a stock piece, I'll have to go down after the program I am watching is over with and see if it is a seperate box, or one that is connected to a bigger piece...

-Chase