OBD Panel Mod

[iolaus]

Well, my insurance company sent me an OBD module to put on my car to monitor my driving for 90 days in order to get a better discount. When I went to attach it I was dismayed to find that the OBD port (and fuse panel) is covered by a trim panel that butts up very closely to the OBD port.

My first attempt at a fix was one of these OBD extension cables but when I went to install it I found it didn't even come close to fitting. That trim panel all but touches the OBD port when installed so there is zero clearance.

Frustrated, I went online and found a replacement OEM fuse panel (if you order one make sure to get the right interior color to match your vehicle). Once it arrived I took my Dremel to it and now I am able to have the OBD attachment plugged in without a gaping hole in my dash!

As an added bonus, my Kiwi 3 OBD device should be arriving pretty soon and I'm hopeful it will work with the modified panel as well.

 

[iSOBigD]

Wow, I wonder how that will turn out. I don't think I know anyone who doesn't speed on a regular basis at least a little lol.

"5 over the limit? Sorry, no coverage!"

I'd love to hear what they tell you after those 90 days, maybe I'm too much of a pessimist.

 

[iolaus]

Wow, I wonder how that will turn out. I don't think I know anyone who doesn't speed on a regular basis at least a little lol.

"5 over the limit? Sorry, no coverage!"

I'd love to hear what they tell you after those 90 days, maybe I'm too much of a pessimist.

The good news is it can only lower my rate. They give a 5% discount just for signing up and then depending on your driving the discount can go up to 30%. From what I can tell they don't take speeding into account, only rapid acceleration, rapid breaking, and nighttime driving (all of which can be viewed online in semi-realtime). Needless to say, I'll be driving in an extra conservative fashion for the next 80 or so days.

 

[Huddleston]

Wife makes me put this in occasionally with nationwide. I usually just drive one of the other cars

 

[amartz]

I won't have one of those Nannies in my car!

 

[G80inKaty]

Where did you find the OEM fuse panel? How much modification did it need .... you know the brand and dimensions of module the insurance company sent you? Is the layout of OBD socket and cover panel the same in 2017 as 2016?

 

[srobak]

My first attempt at a fix was [...]

While I certainly applaud your efforts and craftsmanship - I do have a slight contention with "attempt to fix", here. This implies something was broken, bad or incorrect. This is not the case.

Instead - the obd port and it's cover is by design, and intention. They were never intended for permanent or semi-permanent/long-term utilization. The cover is close to interface because once you are done with the interface at the shop, you put the cover back on. If people insist on using these little nannies in belief it is going to somehow lower their insurance rate - it's fairly easy to run with the cover off for a month or three and throw it in the glovebox. You can't even really see that thing from the driver's seat anyhow... so - outta sight, outta mind. Let it do it's thing, then replace with the real cover. Done.

No muss, no fuss, no purchase, no cutting. Easy.

 

[G80inKaty]

While I certainly applaud your efforts and craftsmanship - I do have a slight contention with "attempt to fix", here. This implies something was broken, bad or incorrect. This is not the case.

Instead - the obd port and it's cover is by design, and intention. They were never intended for permanent or semi-permanent/long-term utilization. The cover is close to interface because once you are done with the interface at the shop, you put the cover back on. If people insist on using these little nannies in belief it is going to somehow lower their insurance rate - it's fairly easy to run with the cover off for a month or three and throw it in the glovebox. You can't even really see that thing from the driver's seat anyhow... so - outta sight, outta mind. Let it do it's thing, then replace with the real cover. Done.

No muss, no fuss, no purchase, no cutting. Easy.

My application is different ... Automatic Pro is intended to stay in the OBD port permanently and transmit engine/trip data beyond what the G80 provides in terms of raw data or derivative metrics .... given that we're spending $45-55k for these cars, and given that the Automatic is a popular and well-known add-on (in addition to a bunch of other ones) it doesn't seem unreasonable to me that Hyundai/Genesis might accommodate us with information about device compatibility and, more importantly, a redesigned alternate FUSE / OBD COVER PANEL that CAN accommodate temporary or permanent placement of an OBD dongle ... if you're not interested in it, it wouldn't affect you.

 

[danygenesis]

The OBD port is fixed to the fuse panel by two pins (one on each side), you can remove it from there giving you more space for installing the adapter.

 

[G80inKaty]

The OBD port is fixed to the fuse panel by two pins (one on each side), you can remove it from there giving you more space for installing the adapter.

That sounds doable ... but it also sounds potentially warranty-voiding ..?? Is there enough slack on the connecting wires to reposition the connector to accommodate the dongle?

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[srobak]

given that we're spending $45-55k for these cars, and given that the Automatic is a popular and well-known add-on [...] it doesn't seem unreasonable to me that Hyundai/Genesis might accommodate us with information about device compatibility and, more importantly, a redesigned alternate FUSE / OBD COVER PANEL that CAN accommodate

Wow.

Ok - first thing to understand (and I thought I was pretty clear on this in the 1st post) - the OBD port was put there by Hyundai for Hyundai (or whatever) shops to use. It is a standard for shop diags - one that came out in 1994. If 3rd party companies (supposedly fairly well known or not - never heard of Automatic) decide to use this interface outside of the scope of design, and owners/users decide to do so as well - explain to me how that becomes Hyundai's responsibility to accommodate? That makes about as much sense as Hyundai having to accommodate people putting 24's on their cars without having to cut, tub and offset. Not gonna happen.

Compatibility information is simple: It is compatible with shop diagnostic computers and scanners that plug in to the interface for diagnostics surrounding repair purposes. Anything past that is on the 3rd party to accommodate. Not Hyundai.

 

[G80inKaty]

Wow.

Ok - first thing to understand (and I thought I was pretty clear on this in the 1st post) - the OBD port was put there by Hyundai for Hyundai (or whatever) shops to use. It is a standard for shop diags - one that came out in 1994. If 3rd party companies (supposedly fairly well known or not - never heard of Automatic) decide to use this interface outside of the scope of design, and owners/users decide to do so as well - explain to me how that becomes Hyundai's responsibility to accommodate? That makes about as much sense as Hyundai having to accommodate people putting 24's on their cars without having to cut, tub and offset. Not gonna happen.

Compatibility information is simple: It is compatible with shop diagnostic computers and scanners that plug in to the interface for diagnostics surrounding repair purposes. Anything past that is on the 3rd party to accommodate. Not Hyundai.

Yes, you were pretty clear the first time ... your perspective was duly noted ...

Having had a pretty good look at the Fuse/ODB port area I think the only way to go is to cut the cover panel with a Dremel or other tool ... enough to accommodate the Automatic Pro or one of the many, many other ODB port readers on the market

I suspect in due time Hyundai/Genesis and other manufacturers will take note of the interest a growing number of car owners have in optimizing their driving habits and monitoring vehicle performance and status and probably integrate more data into dashboard and other display units

In the interim, thanks to those who provided helpful information to move forward on this little project ...

 

[G80inKaty]

Wow.

Ok - first thing to understand (and I thought I was pretty clear on this in the 1st post) - the OBD port was put there by Hyundai for Hyundai (or whatever) shops to use. It is a standard for shop diags - one that came out in 1994. If 3rd party companies (supposedly fairly well known or not - never heard of Automatic) decide to use this interface outside of the scope of design, and owners/users decide to do so as well - explain to me how that becomes Hyundai's responsibility to accommodate? That makes about as much sense as Hyundai having to accommodate people putting 24's on their cars without having to cut, tub and offset. Not gonna happen.

Compatibility information is simple: It is compatible with shop diagnostic computers and scanners that plug in to the interface for diagnostics surrounding repair purposes. Anything past that is on the 3rd party to accommodate. Not Hyundai.

Not Your Father's ODB


Driver's supplementary vehicle instrumentation

Driver's supplementary vehicle instrumentation is installed in a vehicle in addition to that provided by the vehicle manufacturer and intended for display to the driver during normal operation. This is opposed to scanners used primarily for active fault diagnosis, tuning, or hidden data logging.

Auto enthusiasts have traditionally installed additional gauges such as manifold vacuum, battery current etc. The OBD standard interface has enabled a new generation of enthusiast instrumentation accessing the full range of vehicle data used for diagnostics, and derived data such as instantaneous fuel economy.

Instrumentation may take the form of dedicated trip computers, carputers or interfaces to PDAs, smartphones, or a GPS navigation unit.

As a carputer is essentially a PC, the same software could be loaded as for PC-based scan tools and vice versa, so the distinction is only in the reason for use of the software.
These enthusiast systems may also include some functionality similar to the other scan tools.

Vehicle telematics

OBD II is no longer only used by professionals and hobbyists to repair vehicles. OBD II information is commonly used by vehicle telematics devices that perform fleet tracking, monitor fuel efficiency, prevent unsafe driving, as well as for remote diagnostics and by pay-as-you-drive insurance. Although originally not intended for the above purposes, commonly supported OBD II data such as vehicle speed, RPM, and fuel level allow GPS-based fleet tracking devices to monitor vehicle idling times, speeding, and over-revving. By monitoring OBD II DTCs a company can know immediately if one of its vehicles has an engine problem and by interpreting the code the nature of the problem. OBD II is also monitored to block mobile phones when driving and to record trip data for insurance purposes.

 

[srobak]

Nice copy & paste from Wiki. You should check the list of edits to the article - you might recognize one of the names.

Again - that is all 3rd party stuff. Not the manufacturer's (including Hyundai) prerogative. Nice tool & toy, by all respects... but again - not up to Hyundai to make provisions past the scope of design & standard or to accommodate for them... and also certainly not "broken". If people do things that are outside of the scope of design - then it is on them. Enthusiasts modify all kinds of things regarding their vehicles... doesn't mean it was broken, missing or incorrect in the first place.

 

[G80inKaty]

Nice copy & paste from Wiki. You should check the list of edits to the article - you might recognize one of the names.

Again - that is all 3rd party stuff. Not the manufacturer's (including Hyundai) prerogative. Nice tool & toy, by all respects... but again - not up to Hyundai to make provisions past the scope of design & standard or to accommodate for them... and also certainly not "broken". If people do things that are outside of the scope of design - then it is on them. Enthusiasts modify all kinds of things regarding their vehicles... doesn't mean it was broken, missing or incorrect in the first place.

Let's not get argumentative, srobak ... I never said there was anything "broken" on the G80 ... what I said is "it doesn't seem unreasonable to me that Hyundai/Genesis might accommodate us with information about device compatibility and, more importantly, a redesigned alternate FUSE / OBD COVER PANEL that CAN accommodate temporary or permanent placement of an OBD dongle" ... and it would be nice ... and I think it would make the car even better and more competitive in the marketplace ... the design change is child's play and has no effect whatsoever on owners who don't take advantage of it ...

You don't like the Wikipedia article? There's about a thousand other ones which document consumer-level interest in accessing and using OBD data ... after all, we're the ones paying for all of it; all you're saying is be a good boy, take whatever the manufacturer gives you and be grateful for it ... don't think so.

Still interested in comments on HOW to use the Automatic Pro in the G80 ...

 

[srobak]

I never said there was anything "broken" on the G80 ...

The OP did - hence my first post in the thread to which you initially responded.

what I said is "it doesn't seem unreasonable [...] that Hyundai/Genesis might accommodate us with [...] a redesigned alternate FUSE / OBD COVER PANEL that CAN accommodate temporary or permanent placement of an OBD dongle"

Actually - it is completely unreasonable. Again - you are wanting/expecting Hyundai to redesign/retool/remanufacture in order to accommodate 3rd party, out of design scope & spec usage of the OBD port.

Refer to what I said earlier about them also accommodating out of spec, 3rd party wheels. You actually wont find many manufacturers at all that will go to this length.... not for wheels, engines, or even OBD ports... so not sure at all where you are going with the "more competitive" justification for it - as most tuner fanboy cars don't even accommodate for it.

You don't like the Wikipedia article?

To the contrary. I wrote a fair amount of it. Hence (again) my earlier comment.

Still interested in comments on HOW to use the Automatic Pro in the G80 ...

Asked and answered earlier. Remove cover. Plug in 3rd party device. Put cover in trunk. Done.

 

[813Genesis]

Just get one of these cables https://www.amazon.com/Diageng-Low-Profile-Splitter-Cable/dp/B00HJAMBI8 and place the device behind the cover out of the way.

 

[G80inKaty]

Just get one of these cables https://www.amazon.com/Diageng-Low-Profile-Splitter-Cable/dp/B00HJAMBI8 and place the device behind the cover out of the way.

Have you done this? Any reason to use the splitter cable? This one looks like it would fit better: https://www.amazon.com/Diageng-Ultra-Profile-Female-Extension/dp/B00KYH9COE ... ?? How are you securing the dongle inside the panel?

 

[813Genesis]

No particular reason for the splitter, it was the first one that came up in the search. I have not done this on the Genesis, company I work for uses them for the fleet vehicles to attach ODB2 GPS units. I haven't looked behind the panel but I would bet you could use velcro to secure the device. If not, there are always zip ties.

 

[G80inKaty]

No particular reason for the splitter, it was the first one that came up in the search. I have not done this on the Genesis, company I work for uses them for the fleet vehicles to attach ODB2 GPS units. I haven't looked behind the panel but I would bet you could use velcro to secure the device. If not, there are always zip ties.

Seemed like a good idea ... tried it, doesn't work ... connectors are too big .... no way you can get the FUSE / OBD panel cover back on .... I don't think there's a way to do this without cutting the panel cover ... or leaving it off entirely ...