DCM / Telematics Module Bypass

[4x4Runner2]

Has anyone else gone through the realization of what data gets reported through the DCM, or the telematics system on your 6th gen? It was scary. Data sold to your insurance company that could adversely affect your rates if you drive… in a spirited manner. All manner of privacy given away because of convenience. I will gladly give up remote start through my phone and just use my key fob. The only thing I didn’t know was where my module is.

I have a 2026 TRD Off Road Premium, and I couldn’t find anything definitive online in regards to where the DCM module was in my 4Runner, so I went digging. In my vehicle, the module is simply directly behind the panel where the wireless charger is. I disconnected the plugs and connected them to the DCM bypass kit

I bought the kit from autoharnesshouse.com
The part number is AHH-DCM77

It was $83.70 plus tax and shipping.

ready to reconnect by just popping the center stack open and plug the harnesses back into the module.

I hope this helps someone. I regret I didn’t think to take pictures before I reassembled the dash.

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[bakutheleo]

I believe there was a recent post on this elsewhere in this forum.

 

[horbit]

The only complaint I heard was someone having issues with apple carplay\android auto maps glitching. Have you experienced anything break?

 

[4x4Runner2]

LOL Yeah, remote start with the key fob stops working! I’ll pay to have aftermarket remote start added before I’ll connect that thing back up. It’ll have superior range and two-way comms if I do.

 

[josiahg52]

LOL Yeah, remote start with the key fob stops working! I’ll pay to have aftermarket remote start added before I’ll connect that thing back up. It’ll have superior range and two-way comms if I do.

Remote start still functions. Connected remote start through the app does not. I've not read anything contrary to that until your apparent observation. Direct, first-hand information is relatively sparse, however. Similarly, all reports and a image provided to me by autoharnesshouse.com shows the DCM being to the right of the infotainment screen.

 

[josiahg52]

Has anyone else gone through the realization of what data gets reported through the DCM, or the telematics system on your 6th gen? It was scary. Data sold to your insurance company that could adversely affect your rates if you drive… in a spirited manner. All manner of privacy given away because of convenience. I will gladly give up remote start through my phone and just use my key fob. The only thing I didn’t know was where my module is.

I have a 2026 TRD Off Road Premium, and I couldn’t find anything definitive online in regards to where the DCM module was in my 4Runner, so I went digging. In my vehicle, the module is simply directly behind the panel where the wireless charger is. I disconnected the plugs and connected them to the DCM bypass kit

I bought the kit from autoharnesshouse.com
The part number is AHH-DCM77

It was $83.70 plus tax and shipping.

ready to reconnect by just popping the center stack open and plug the harnesses back into the module.

I hope this helps someone. I regret I didn’t think to take pictures before I reassembled the dash.

Hmm, they told me it was behind and to the right of the screen. Maybe that was a Tacoma or a specific trim. I was hoping not to go on a hunt to find it. I'll assume it's behind the charger.

 

[marauder3971]

Installed the bypass harness from auto harness house. Found the DCM behind the wireless charger panel.
Remote start no longer works from the key fob. Apple Maps has become glitchy but Google Maps seems fine so not sure it’s related to the bypass harness.
Need to find a remote start that works with the bypass, if anyone has an idea on that.

 

[shine]

Genuine question here - why not just go through the privacy portal settings in the Toyota app and disable whatever reporting you don't want?

Do you not trust Toyota to respect your settings, or is there another reason?

 

[josiahg52]

Genuine question here - why not just go through the privacy portal settings in the Toyota app and disable whatever reporting you don't want?

Do you not trust Toyota to respect your settings, or is there another reason?

Doing that means creating an account with Toyota. I don't even want that.

Toyota absolutely provides privacy controls, consent management, opt-outs, and connected-services settings, etc. through its privacy portal and app. Toyota also states that you can opt out of connected services and even disable data transmission in various ways.

However, that doesn't automatically mean:

"No data whatsoever leaves the vehicle."

The key question for me is what Toyota defines as:

- Connected Services data (that you can opt out of)
- "Required" (as defined by Toyota, not you) operational data.
- Safety and emergency services data.
- "Other" vehicle-generated data.

I also take issue with the "bundling" problem.

If you want Feature A, you must agree to the data collection necessary to provide Feature A.

For example:
Remote start via app.
Vehicle locator.
Stolen vehicle locator.
Service Connect.
Dynamic navigation.
Destination assist.

Obviously, those features inherently require some level of communication between the vehicle, Toyota, and the app ecosystem. Fine. So you may be able to opt out of:

- Insurance-related sharing.
- Marketing.
- Certain analytics.
- Certain connected services.

you may not be able to simultaneously utilize:

- Cloud-connected services,
- Location-based services,
- Remote vehicle functions,

while transmitting absolutely nothing. That's simply how those services operate.

My preference differs from many owners. Many are satisfied with:

"I opted out of the optional stuff."

I want to know:

"Can I verify at a technical level that no unwanted telemetry is leaving the vehicle?"

That's a much higher standard.

Toyota's privacy portal might provide meaningful controls and opt-outs, I don't know personally. However, it's Toyota defining those categories, the consents, and the functionality. It is not equivalent to physically removing or bypassing the communications path.

So if your goal is:

"I don't want advertising data collection."

The privacy portal may be sufficient.

If your goal is:

"I want high confidence that the vehicle cannot communicate externally except when I explicitly allow it."

Disabling the DCM and installing a bypass harness is the only way.

Installed the bypass harness from auto harness house. Found the DCM behind the wireless charger panel.
Remote start no longer works from the key fob. Apple Maps has become glitchy but Google Maps seems fine so not sure it’s related to the bypass harness.
Need to find a remote start that works with the bypass, if anyone has an idea on that.

Thank you for confirming where the module is. Unfortunate about the remote start. Personally, I haven't had a vehicle with remote start for over ten years so it's not an issue for me. I believe Apple Maps via Car Play relies on vehicle GPS rather than phone GPS and I believe it's different for Android Auto and Google Maps. I haven't really confirmed that, however.

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