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Old 08-18-2016, 12:58 AM   #1
intence01
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Default Big Brother is Watching - '17 WRX Limited and all '17 STI

So I had signed up for my.subaru.com updated on my new car, thought it might be neat. Today I got an email stating that my "Monthly Vehicle Report" was ready. It looks like Starlink Connect (similar to ONStar, etc.) sends data about mileage, error codes, TPMS and more up to Subaru and they send you a nice packaged report about your usage.

For now i'm not prepared to mod the powertrain on the STI (too scared about ringland and engine issues), but i'm wondering what else the ECU/DCM system is reporting up to Subaru. Previously if one were to mod via AP, then put everything back before a dealer visit it was questionable if they could really tell. Sure, they could see that the ECU was reset, and that there were a certain number of key cycles since reset etc. but there's no definite answer if they knew for sure. Basically it was detective work done on an ECU after the changes had been reverted.

I'm very curious to know what data is getting pushed up to Subaru. Will the system alert them if there's an ECU change, if the ECU was reset, etc. etc. etc.

Not sure what it's pushing up, but this system isn't just about unlocking doors and helping you in an emergency, it appears to be pushing data upstream. Not sure what data or how often, or even what happens if you unplug the DCM's antenna, but if you're planning on staying in warranty and have a '17 WRX Limited or STI i'd be cautious.
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Old 08-18-2016, 03:38 PM   #2
Matt_Sharkey
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in before warranty fraud.
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Old 08-18-2016, 03:39 PM   #3
Northern
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RIP warranty.
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Old 08-18-2016, 04:11 PM   #4
Kuros
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Interesting. I'm going to look into this. But it kinda sounds like F the warranty, straight to built motor!
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Old 08-18-2016, 07:36 PM   #5
Sparc
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It pushes a surprising volume of data over the data antenna. Decoding what it is sending is beyond my capability however... I disconnected the antenna when I replaced the radio and now Subaru gets nothing.
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Old 08-18-2016, 08:13 PM   #6
industrial
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Pretty easy to just disconnect the DCM antennas. In the very near future, this won't be possible so enjoy autonomy while you can.
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Old 08-18-2016, 09:28 PM   #7
Jack
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Old 08-19-2016, 12:12 AM   #8
highwayman
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May come as a shock to some......


But majority of manufacturers have been able to tell if the ecm has been reflashed for awhile now. Most ecms have a counter for reflashes. Just FYI. They know if the ecm has been reflashed regardless of the communication. They're not dumb about mods.
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Old 08-19-2016, 01:14 AM   #9
hijinks
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I was looking for a link to the scene in 2 fast 2 furious where Paul walker rolls up to lucacris' shop and tells them "make sure everything on the evo and spyder is copacetic" and then MC Jin comes up all like "yo these cars are wired like I ain't seen before .... This ain't LoJack"

Paul walker - "ya they hot. They wired so hot that whoever's trackin' these things will know whenever you're not wearin your seat belt!"


... Thought it would be appropriate but I digress. I couldn't find it
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Old 08-19-2016, 01:40 AM   #10
intence01
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Yup, just posting it as an FYI for any newbs. If you're gonna mode, might as well take the full plunge. I've left mine connected for now, but may pull the plug at some point. Not sure I like the idea of it sending data, not just for mods, but top speeds, etc.
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Old 08-19-2016, 08:29 AM   #11
Techie Will
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Quote:
Originally Posted by highwayman View Post
May come as a shock to some......


But majority of manufacturers have been able to tell if the ecm has been reflashed for awhile now. Most ecms have a counter for reflashes. Just FYI. They know if the ecm has been reflashed regardless of the communication. They're not dumb about mods.
Subaru has had a key turn counter for quite some time (some say as early as 2008), and that is only one of the more known resources they can pull to see if something were flashed.

I am not sure how connected starlink really is to the car to be able to pull something like ECU flashes, but obviously it can read diagnostic information if something goes awry.
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Old 08-19-2016, 09:15 AM   #12
SycsFinest
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OnStar has been doing this for years. Is this really a surprise?
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Old 08-19-2016, 09:39 AM   #13
slowgenius
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Computer Age. Burn all computers! Yeah just mod an old car that is out of warranty.
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Old 08-19-2016, 11:52 AM   #14
Kuros
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Who buys a wrx/sti for the warranty anyway?
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Old 08-19-2016, 12:08 PM   #15
Boxer4you
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Default Big Brother is Watching - '17 WRX Limited and all '17 STI

Quote:
Originally Posted by hijinks View Post
I was looking for a link to the scene in 2 fast 2 furious where Paul walker rolls up to lucacris' shop and tells them "make sure everything on the evo and spyder is copacetic" and then MC Jin comes up all like "yo these cars are wired like I ain't seen before .... This ain't LoJack"

Paul walker - "ya they hot. They wired so hot that whoever's trackin' these things will know whenever you're not wearin your seat belt!"


... Thought it would be appropriate but I digress. I couldn't find it
You're my hero
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Old 08-19-2016, 12:39 PM   #16
mishapopa
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kuros View Post
Who buys a wrx/sti for the warranty anyway?
Why would you buy a brand new car, especially a new platform, and immediately proceed to nullify the warranty. Unless you're made of money, that's a pretty stupid decision.
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Old 08-19-2016, 10:48 PM   #17
bungarra
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mishapopa View Post
Why would you buy a brand new car, especially a new platform, and immediately proceed to nullify the warranty. Unless you're made of money, that's a pretty stupid decision.
Lots of people. They are called enthusiasts and there used to be quite a few of them on internet forums.
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Old 08-19-2016, 11:54 PM   #18
themessage
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I'm planning on unplugging the Starlink module in a few days. I can only see the information they are gathering to be used against me and not for me. The other day I removed my passenger seat temporarily and Subaru sent an email twice telling me there was an issue. Anyone who starts the car will see an airbag alert and a check engine light, so the information was redundant in my case.

"We’ve been notified via STARLINK™ that the Airbag System light is still on in your 2017 WRX.

We can tell you why this is important.

The Airbag System light indicates there might be a potential problem with your vehicle’s Supplemental Restraint System, which includes the airbags and seatbelts. For your safety, we recommend a full system check immediately. Please contact your Subaru Retailer as soon as possible.

If you’ve already made a service appointment, please disregard this email."

Here's a Forester thread I found with pics on disabling it:
http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f77/2016-starlink-disable-internet-connection-508193/#/topics/508193?page=2&_k=jfpptu

Last edited by themessage; 08-20-2016 at 12:00 AM.
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Old 08-20-2016, 11:16 AM   #19
milenko11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by themessage View Post
I'm planning on unplugging the Starlink module in a few days. I can only see the information they are gathering to be used against me and not for me. The other day I removed my passenger seat temporarily and Subaru sent an email twice telling me there was an issue. Anyone who starts the car will see an airbag alert and a check engine light, so the information was redundant in my case.



"We’ve been notified via STARLINK that the Airbag System light is still on in your 2017 WRX.



We can tell you why this is important.



The Airbag System light indicates there might be a potential problem with your vehicle’s Supplemental Restraint System, which includes the airbags and seatbelts. For your safety, we recommend a full system check immediately. Please contact your Subaru Retailer as soon as possible.



If you’ve already made a service appointment, please disregard this email."



Here's a Forester thread I found with pics on disabling it:

http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulle...ge=2&_k=jfpptu

What is the easiest way to disable it?
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Old 08-20-2016, 02:54 PM   #20
Scorpius
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Quote:
Originally Posted by milenko11 View Post
What is the easiest way to disable it?
Wrap the car in copper foil.
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Old 08-20-2016, 07:39 PM   #21
BudgetPlan1
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Eh, let 'em monitor me if they want. I'm not that interesting anymore.
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Old 08-20-2016, 07:55 PM   #22
FaastLegacy
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kuros View Post
Who buys a wrx/sti for the warranty anyway?
Grown ups that don't want to play the modified shenanigans game.

You're paying for it either way, might as well use it while you can.

Quote:
Lots of people. They are called enthusiasts and there used to be quite a few of them on internet forums.
And then they grow up and realize that ****ting money away on modifications that usually harm the daily drivability of their car is stupid, coinciding with reaching a point in their life where their income has risen such that they can take a step up in the performance car market and buy something that doesn't need to be modified. Trust me, there's more to life than super stiff suspensions and loud aftermarket exhausts.
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Old 08-20-2016, 09:07 PM   #23
industrial
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Quote:
Originally Posted by milenko11 View Post
What is the easiest way to disable it?
The three colored antenna inputs on the DCM should do the trick. Leave the other harnesses connected, the front speakers run through there.
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Old 08-20-2016, 09:34 PM   #24
JustyWRC
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Quote:
Originally Posted by themessage View Post
I'm planning on unplugging the Starlink module in a few days. I can only see the information they are gathering to be used against me and not for me. The other day I removed my passenger seat temporarily and Subaru sent an email twice telling me there was an issue. Anyone who starts the car will see an airbag alert and a check engine light, so the information was redundant in my case.

"We’ve been notified via STARLINK™ that the Airbag System light is still on in your 2017 WRX.

We can tell you why this is important.

The Airbag System light indicates there might be a potential problem with your vehicle’s Supplemental Restraint System, which includes the airbags and seatbelts. For your safety, we recommend a full system check immediately. Please contact your Subaru Retailer as soon as possible.

If you’ve already made a service appointment, please disregard this email."

Here's a Forester thread I found with pics on disabling it:
http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulle...ge=2&_k=jfpptu
This is the example you use of them using the info "against" you?

Airbag operability is a good thing.



And if there is a question about what info is being sent to Subaru, has anyone thought to ASK them what info is being sent to them? I would think there is a law(privacy of some sort) out there that would require them to tell you when asked?
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Old 08-20-2016, 10:15 PM   #25
Hoon Goon
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FaastLegacy View Post

Grown ups that don't want to play the modified shenanigans game.

You're paying for it either way, might as well use it while you can.

And then they grow up and realize that ****ting money away on modifications that usually harm the daily drivability of their car is stupid, coinciding with reaching a point in their life where their income has risen such that they can take a step up in the performance car market and buy something that doesn't need to be modified. Trust me, there's more to life than super stiff suspensions and loud aftermarket exhausts.
Plenty of dudes are modding Lambos and GT3s. You are just old.
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