OBD Socket Disabled - What's that all about?
OBD Socket Disabled - What's that all about?
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Discussion

bomma220

Original Poster:

17,663 posts

154 months

Sunday 23rd March 2014
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Evening all. I saw a newish BMW 3 Series earlier today with a big sticker in the driver's window stating 'OBD SOCKET DISABLED'.

Is this because of some sort of criminal issue or is it just to stop main dealers p*****g around with it? confused

Drive Blind

5,771 posts

206 months

Sunday 23rd March 2014
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bomma220 said:


Is this because of some sort of criminal issue
yes

djdestiny

6,542 posts

207 months

Sunday 23rd March 2014
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Google BMW OBD car theft, its been a huge subject/problem

Disco You

3,748 posts

209 months

Sunday 23rd March 2014
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bomma220 said:
Is this because of some sort of criminal issue
Yep. It is/was possible just to break a window, plug something (a laptop?) into the OBD port, programme a key and steal the car.

Easternlight

3,925 posts

173 months

Sunday 23rd March 2014
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bomma220

Original Poster:

17,663 posts

154 months

Sunday 23rd March 2014
quotequote all
Cheers guys, you live & learn... I thought it was bad enough in the old days when you could start a Cortina with a teaspoon handle! laugh


Steffan

10,362 posts

257 months

Sunday 23rd March 2014
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Unfortunately the OBD port now in use particularly where the cars have been designed to offer key programming, enables toerags to abuse the software and steal a significant number of modern cars. What was intended to be beneficial to owners suddenly became a very attractive way for thieves to steal the cars equipped with these devices. I would hope the lesson has been learned by the car makers affected.

bomma220

Original Poster:

17,663 posts

154 months

Monday 24th March 2014
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Steffan said:
Unfortunately the OBD port now in use particularly where the cars have been designed to offer key programming, enables toerags to abuse the software and steal a significant number of modern cars. What was intended to be beneficial to owners suddenly became a very attractive way for thieves to steal the cars equipped with these devices. I would hope the lesson has been learned by the car makers affected.
Difficult to understand how the car makers didn't see it coming? With the amount of research & development that supposedly goes into vehicle security, how was this allowed to slip through the net?

Steffan

10,362 posts

257 months

Monday 24th March 2014
quotequote all
bomma220 said:
Steffan said:
Unfortunately the OBD port now in use particularly where the cars have been designed to offer key programming, enables toerags to abuse the software and steal a significant number of modern cars. What was intended to be beneficial to owners suddenly became a very attractive way for thieves to steal the cars equipped with these devices. I would hope the lesson has been learned by the car makers affected.
Difficult to understand how the car makers didn't see it coming? With the amount of research & development that supposedly goes into vehicle security, how was this allowed to slip through the net?
Some individuals did see it coming. 20 years ago the auto electrician I use on all my cars if trouble arises, predicted to me then that just such a mistake would occur because as he suggested all computer systems are very susceptible to crooks attentions. I did wonder how the manufacturers allowed this to occur but I suspect the truth is they were naive and probably too concerned to keep up with the crowd introducing new ideas constantly.

bomma220

Original Poster:

17,663 posts

154 months

Monday 24th March 2014
quotequote all
Steffan said:
Some individuals did see it coming. 20 years ago the auto electrician I use on all my cars if trouble arises, predicted to me then that just such a mistake would occur because as he suggested all computer systems are very susceptible to crooks attentions. I did wonder how the manufacturers allowed this to occur but I suspect the truth is they were naive and probably too concerned to keep up with the crowd introducing new ideas constantly.
Yes, guess that's about the size of it. A case of 'concentrating on the sights & losing the target?'

Interesting what you say about your auto-electrician though. I too have had far more faith in my local 'indy' than I ever would have in a main dealer. Far more knowledge & interest in what they do.

kambites

71,466 posts

250 months

Monday 24th March 2014
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The specific problem with BMWs, is that they managed to design the alarms with a dead-zone down the right hand side. Normally this wouldn't be an issue because there is nothing useful in the passenger side footwell, but in the UK market the dead-zone is still in the same place and allows access to the OBD port without setting the alarm off.

Steffan

10,362 posts

257 months

Monday 24th March 2014
quotequote all
bomma220 said:
Steffan said:
Some individuals did see it coming. 20 years ago the auto electrician I use on all my cars if trouble arises, predicted to me then that just such a mistake would occur because as he suggested all computer systems are very susceptible to crooks attentions. I did wonder how the manufacturers allowed this to occur but I suspect the truth is they were naive and probably too concerned to keep up with the crowd introducing new ideas constantly.
Yes, guess that's about the size of it. A case of 'concentrating on the sights & losing the target?'

Interesting what you say about your auto-electrician though. I too have had far more faith in my local 'indy' than I ever would have in a main dealer. Far more knowledge & interest in what they do.
Colin, the auto electrician is a very clever individual. Utterly reliable and bloody good egg. I sorted out his accounts when things were difficult for him years ago certainly over 30. He has steadily built up his businesses and now owns three MOT stations outright personally. Great success is Colin all self made. Problem now is all appointments need booking at least three weeks in advance. Appointmemts for me of course do not apply: he just sees me whenever I turn up. His predictions included the current motoring scene where an ECU problem or similar major electrical fault means the death knell for modern barges. Classic cars of the future will be the devil to maintain.