OBD port audible alerts

Learn why a vehicle alert can sound and how it can change the data a device collects.

Some vehicles sound an alert if any On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) third-party telematics device makes a data request via the OBD port while the vehicle is both locked and the ignition is off. While this alert is designed to detect undesired device installations, it can also be triggered by intentional device installations that are necessary for fleet operations. Given that this alert interferes with the intended operations of the telematics device, the version 9 device disables it by default as of firmware version x.27.x on confirmed vehicles.

Should a user choose to re-enable the alert, the telematics device will request less vehicle data to avoid triggering the alert. For electric vehicles (EVs), re-enabling the alert may result in loss of charging data and delay of driving data.

While a vehicle cannot be fully operated via OBD alone, actions such as locking/unlocking doors, rolling down windows, and starting the engine may be possible. The specific abilities of the telematics device is governed according to your service plan.

Device behavior and installation

If the alert is not disabled upon installing the telematics device, the version 9 device (with firmware version x.27.x+) will disable the alert by default for the indicated models in the vehicle table. For those models where the OBD alert is enabled at the time of version 9 telematics device install, and not disabled by default, data collection during charging will not be available. In both scenarios, this allows the device to provide maximum data access according to your service plan without risk of sounding the alert.

There is a risk that the OBD alert will sound on the EVs in the vehicle table with version 7 or version 8 devices, and on version 9 devices with firmware version less than x.27.x.

There remains a risk that the OBD alert will sound on any other vehicle where the OBD alert is not yet confirmed.

Note:

Should the version 9 device be installed in an EV and charged prior to the vehicle being started (ignition on), there is a risk that the alert will sound. Follow the standard device installation instructions.

Enabling an OBD alert

If the alert is not disabled upon installing the telematics device, the version 9 device (with firmware version x.27.x+) will disable the alert by default for those models indicated in Vehicles with OBD port audible alerts. After you have confirmed an OBD alert is present and has been disabled, follow the steps below to re-enable the OBD alert. For more information on how to verify the presence of an OBD alert, follow the steps outlined in Checking OBD alert status in MyGeotab.

Note:

For EVs, an enabled OBD alert may result in loss of charging data and delay of driving data. Contact your Partner to determine whether a different service plan may be more appropriate in this case.

Disabling an OBD alert

If the alert is not disabled upon installing the telematics device, the version 9 device (with firmware version x.27.x+) will disable the alert by default for those vehicles indicated in Vehicles with OBD port audible alerts. Should it be re-enabled, you have the option to disable it again. For those vehicles indicated as OBD alert not disabled by the version 9 telematics device in Vehicles with OBD port audible alerts, it is currently not possible to disable the OBD alert by the GO device. To disable the OBD alert in this case, contact the authorized dealer of your vehicle.

Note:

If the OBD alert is disabled, the device will provide full data access according to its service plan.

If the OBD alert has been re-enabled, use the disabling procedure to check its status and disable it if it is on.

Vehicles with OBD port audible alerts

Review which vehicles have a known alert and how it changes access to their data.

Only some vehicles have a confirmed OBD alert. The following list is non-exhaustive, and the OBD alert may not apply to all model years.


Vehicle make	OBD alert disabled by the version 9 telematics device: Full data access	OBD alert not disabled by the version 9 telematics device: No data collected during charging state (when version 9 device installed in a vehicle with the OBD alert enabled)
Audi	A3 eTron 2016+ Q6 eTron 55 Quattro	Q4 e-tron
BMW	225 XE PHEV 5 Series PHEVs 7 Series PHEVs i3 2014-2020 X Series PHEVs
CUPRA		Born
Škoda		Enyak
VW	eGolf Golf GTE Passat GTE	ID.3 ID.4

Checking OBD alert status in MyGeotab

Learn how to check whether a vehicle alert is on or off.

Navigate to Maintenance > Measurements from the main menu. Select a date period that includes the last time this vehicle was driven, and select the vehicles of interest.
Use the Diagnostics field to search for Generic OBD port alert status (0 = unknown / 1 = enabled / 2= disabled / 3 = not available), and click Apply changes.
Review the search results and follow the guidelines below to determine if the vehicle has an OBD alert:
- If the value is 1 (enabled) or 2 (disabled), then the vehicle has an OBD alert.
- If the value is 0 (unknown), 3 (not available), or if there are no search results (indicated by No status data for this period of time), the system is unable to determine if the vehicle has an OBD alert at this time. If the search results display any of the aforementioned values, and the vehicle is not listed under Vehicles with OBD port audible alerts, it's unlikely this vehicle has an OBD alert.

Checking OBD alert status through the API

Learn how to use the API to check whether a vehicle alert is on or off.

Via StatusData, retrieve value DiagnosticObdPortAlertStatusId (StatusData ID) and follow the guidelines below to determine if the vehicle has an OBD alert:

If the value is 1 (enabled) or 2 (disabled), then the vehicle has an OBD alert.
If the value is 0 (unknown), 3 (not available), or if there are no search results (indicated by No status data for this period of time), the system is unable to determine if the vehicle has an OBD alert at this time. If the search results display any of the aforementioned values, and the vehicle is not listed under Vehicles with OBD port audible alerts, it's unlikely this vehicle has an OBD alert.

Enabling an OBD alert in MyGeotab

Learn how to turn on a vehicle alert and check its state.

Before changing the alert, follow the instructions for Checking OBD alert status in MyGeotab.

Navigate to Vehicles & Assets, and select the vehicle for which you want to re-enable the OBD alert. In the top navigation row select Settings.
In the Advanced section, check whether the OBD port audible alert option is toggled off.

Important:
OBD port audible alert: does not appear if the OBD alert is unknown, or when it does not have one. To verify the presence of the OBD alert, see Checking OBD alert status in MyGeotab.
If the alert is off, turn on the OBD port audible alert toggle.

The confirmation message is displayed.
Click Enable OBD port audible alert to complete the request. Changes typically take place with the next trip.
Click the Save button at the top left.

Next steps: To verify that the OBD alert was successfully enabled, follow the instructions for Checking OBD alert status in MyGeotab and confirm the value is 1.

Enabling an OBD alert through the API

Learn how to use the API to turn on a vehicle alert and check its state.

Confirm the alert status before changing it: Checking OBD alert status through the API.

If the alert is off, call Set against an object of type Device (GO9), with the obdAlertEnabled property set to true. Changes typically take effect the next time the vehicle's ignition is turned on.

Next steps: To verify that the OBD alert was successfully enabled, follow the instructions for Checking OBD alert status through the API and confirm the value is 1.

Disabling an OBD alert in MyGeotab

Learn how to turn off a vehicle alert if it is on and check its state.

Before changing the alert, follow the instructions for Checking OBD alert status in MyGeotab.

Navigate to Vehicles & Assets in the main menu, and select the vehicle for which you want to disable the OBD alert. In the top navigation row select Settings.
In the Advanced section, check whether the OBD port audible alert option is toggled on.

Important:
OBD port audible alert does not appear if the OBD Alert is unknown, or when it does not have one. To verify the presence of the OBD Alert, see Checking OBD alert status in MyGeotab.
If the alert is on, turn off the OBD port audible alert toggle.

The confirmation message is displayed.
Click Disable OBD port audible alert to complete the request. Changes typically take place with the next trip.
Click the Save button at the top left.

Next steps: To verify that the OBD alert was successfully disabled, follow the instructions for Checking OBD alert status in MyGeotab and confirm the value was 2.

Disabling an OBD alert through the API

Learn how to use the API to turn off a vehicle alert and check its state.

Confirm the alert status before changing it: Checking OBD alert status through the API.

If the alert is on, call Set against an object of type Device (GO9), with the obdAlertEnabled property set to false. Changes typically take effect the next time the vehicle's ignition is turned on, and is driven.

Next steps: To verify that the OBD alert was successfully disabled, follow the instructions for Checking OBD alert status through the API and confirm the value was 2.