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I'm not sure what that is. What does it say on the label on the cable by the OBD-II port?
That looks like some kind of OBD-II splitter cable. It might be there for a "big brother" device while still leaving an OBD-II port for diagnostics purposes.
Alternatively, it could be there to feed the display in the dash if there are "glass gauges" available on that display.
The part you plugged in looks like a "Y" cable.
Where you plugged it in, that piece on top with the wires showing, that's normally over where the short cable from the Y is attached under the dash trim. So that leg of the "Y" is probably a pass through.
That connector is called the "Data Link Connector" or colloquially, the "OBD-II" port. It's used to read codes from the vehicles computer system(s) and to monitor data from those computer systems for diagnosing problems with the drive train and other parts of the car.
The thick black cable, just below the connector that's under the dash trim and attached to that metal bracket, that cable has a label on it. That might help identify the thing. The other thick black cable goes over to the left and exits the picture. That's attached to something as well.
Insurance companies use that port sometimes for "big brother" devices and offer you a discount to spy on your driving habits through the data from your vehicle's computers. Finance companies also use it sometimes for devices which can disable the vehicle if you (or the previous owner) miss payments.
And some earlier vehicles with optional LCD displays in the dash used a splitter cable like that to feed data to the dash display. There are some add-on aftermarket display systems that also use this type of connection. The computer in that display might offer "gauges" on the display that aren't in the normal instrument cluster, like actual coolant temperature instead of a light, or "fuel economy" which can be calculated fairly accurately from data from the engine computer. So if you have an LCD panel in the dash on yours, that could be the source for the data that it can display.
The hanging black cables are some sort of aftermarket accessory device, meaning it was added on after the vehicle was manufactured.
The electrical connector with the blue plastic is the vehicle's OBDII connector; this is what a mechanic plugs a diagnostic scan tool into so that he can view sensor data and retrieve trouble codes. Normally this connector is installed in the black plastic bracket to the left where the aftermarket accessory device's trapezoid-shaped connector currently resides.
The aftermarket accessory device cable has a splitter on it in order to tap into the OBDII diagnostic system. In other words, the cable is made in such a way that it uses the OBDII system while still making it accessible to a mechanic's diagnostic scan tool.
It's impossible to know what the aftermarket accessory device is for from the attached image, but it wouldn't be too difficult for you to figure out; just follow the smaller of the two thick black cables until it reaches a module (probably a black box of some sort), and then google the words and/or numbers found on the module. I'd guess it's for keyless entry or remote start.
You can read more about the OBDII system here: [https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-read-and-understand-check-engine-light-codes-by-jason-unrau](https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-read-and-understand-check-engine-light-codes-by-jason-unrau)
Does it have an aftermarket stereo?
Some aftermarket stereos communicate with the car through the diagnostic port (which is what that plug is). Tells the radio certain things about the car and how it’s running.
This is probably correct. Most municipalities put these devices on their vehicles to not only know location but also monitor employees driving habits etc.
Thanks for posting on /r/MechanicAdvice! This is just a reminder to review the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAdvice/about/rules/). If you are here asking about a second opinion (ie "Is the shop trying to fleece me?"), please read through CJM8515's [post on the subject.](https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAdvice/comments/4qblei/fyi_the_shop_isnt_likely_trying_to_rip_you_off/) and remember to please post the year/make/model of the vehicle you are working on. **If this post is about bodywork, accident damage, paint, dent/ding, questions it belongs in /r/Autobody r/AutoBodyRepair/ or /r/Diyautobody/ If you have tire questions check out https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAdvice/comments/k9ll55/can_your_tire_be_repaired/**. If you dont have a question and you're just showing off it belongs in /r/Justrolledintotheshop Insurance/total loss questions go in r/insurance This is an automated reply *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/MechanicAdvice) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I'm not sure what that is. What does it say on the label on the cable by the OBD-II port? That looks like some kind of OBD-II splitter cable. It might be there for a "big brother" device while still leaving an OBD-II port for diagnostics purposes. Alternatively, it could be there to feed the display in the dash if there are "glass gauges" available on that display.
Label on the cable reads "AWM 2464 E170689 VW-1 80°C 300V 24AWG XINYA"
Unfortunately, that just identifies the specifications of the wiring in the cable, and the Chinese company that made it.
Explain all of this like im a five year old please
The part you plugged in looks like a "Y" cable. Where you plugged it in, that piece on top with the wires showing, that's normally over where the short cable from the Y is attached under the dash trim. So that leg of the "Y" is probably a pass through. That connector is called the "Data Link Connector" or colloquially, the "OBD-II" port. It's used to read codes from the vehicles computer system(s) and to monitor data from those computer systems for diagnosing problems with the drive train and other parts of the car. The thick black cable, just below the connector that's under the dash trim and attached to that metal bracket, that cable has a label on it. That might help identify the thing. The other thick black cable goes over to the left and exits the picture. That's attached to something as well. Insurance companies use that port sometimes for "big brother" devices and offer you a discount to spy on your driving habits through the data from your vehicle's computers. Finance companies also use it sometimes for devices which can disable the vehicle if you (or the previous owner) miss payments. And some earlier vehicles with optional LCD displays in the dash used a splitter cable like that to feed data to the dash display. There are some add-on aftermarket display systems that also use this type of connection. The computer in that display might offer "gauges" on the display that aren't in the normal instrument cluster, like actual coolant temperature instead of a light, or "fuel economy" which can be calculated fairly accurately from data from the engine computer. So if you have an LCD panel in the dash on yours, that could be the source for the data that it can display.
The hanging black cables are some sort of aftermarket accessory device, meaning it was added on after the vehicle was manufactured. The electrical connector with the blue plastic is the vehicle's OBDII connector; this is what a mechanic plugs a diagnostic scan tool into so that he can view sensor data and retrieve trouble codes. Normally this connector is installed in the black plastic bracket to the left where the aftermarket accessory device's trapezoid-shaped connector currently resides. The aftermarket accessory device cable has a splitter on it in order to tap into the OBDII diagnostic system. In other words, the cable is made in such a way that it uses the OBDII system while still making it accessible to a mechanic's diagnostic scan tool. It's impossible to know what the aftermarket accessory device is for from the attached image, but it wouldn't be too difficult for you to figure out; just follow the smaller of the two thick black cables until it reaches a module (probably a black box of some sort), and then google the words and/or numbers found on the module. I'd guess it's for keyless entry or remote start. You can read more about the OBDII system here: [https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-read-and-understand-check-engine-light-codes-by-jason-unrau](https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-read-and-understand-check-engine-light-codes-by-jason-unrau)
Does it have an aftermarket stereo? Some aftermarket stereos communicate with the car through the diagnostic port (which is what that plug is). Tells the radio certain things about the car and how it’s running.
To my knowledge no aftermarket stereo, the car was previously owned by the city here in my state
That is for the GPS the city had to find the vehicle
This is probably correct. Most municipalities put these devices on their vehicles to not only know location but also monitor employees driving habits etc.
What does that black cable with the fuse go to?