# What is this light and why is it blinking? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [June 10, 2014, 8:19am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-is-this-light-and-why-is-it-blinking/85377 "2014-06-10T08:19:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ChasinMyTail](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@ChasinMyTail](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ChasinMyTail)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2014, 8:19am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-is-this-light-and-why-is-it-blinking/85377/1 "2014-06-10T08:19:56Z")
I have done some repair work in my car so this is driving me crazy. For the life of me I can’t figure out what this light is and why it’s blinking, see attached picture. Thanks Chasin ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2014, 8:33am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-is-this-light-and-why-is-it-blinking/85377/2 "2014-06-10T08:33:21Z")
It looks like an add on starter interrupter device. These were added to vehicles in the past as a security device (for less than $20) and sold as a new vehicle add on for $400. When I find one I usually remove it (with permission) and restore the wiring harness to original. They eventually become problematic. ---
**Author:** ![asemaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@asemaster](https://community.cartalk.com/u/asemaster)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2014, 8:34am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-is-this-light-and-why-is-it-blinking/85377/3 "2014-06-10T08:34:59Z")
Agreed it’s an aftermarket anti-theft device of some sort. More than once I’ve had a car towed in for a no-start condition and traced the problem to a device the driver didn’t even know they had. ---
**Author:** ![UncleTurbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e9a140/32.png) [@UncleTurbo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/UncleTurbo)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2014, 8:35am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-is-this-light-and-why-is-it-blinking/85377/4 "2014-06-10T08:35:21Z")
Is this a Sequoia or 4 Runner? I think this is a pu or SUV and that is the indicator for the electronic brake activator. The blinking light means it is not connected to any trailer braking system. ---
**Author:** ![ChasinMyTail](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@ChasinMyTail](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ChasinMyTail)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2014, 7:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-is-this-light-and-why-is-it-blinking/85377/5 "2014-06-10T19:19:58Z")
Sorry, this is a 2000 Camry. But I noticed that my 2008 Honda Odyssey has a similar light in a similar spot. I’m guessing the consensus is some sort of anti-theft? Thanks Chasin ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2014, 7:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-is-this-light-and-why-is-it-blinking/85377/6 "2014-06-10T19:47:14Z")
My guess is that it’s an aftermarket combination remote start and security device. A shop that installs these systems should be able to remove it for you for a nominal fee. A piece of black electrical tape will make it invisible for free. ---
**Author:** ![ChasinMyTail](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@ChasinMyTail](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ChasinMyTail)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2014, 8:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-is-this-light-and-why-is-it-blinking/85377/7 "2014-06-10T20:32:35Z")
Thanks for the info. I think I should be able to remove it myself, right. Just trace the wires and remove the splices?!? A second question, sound like I’m missing part of the the system for this to work, correct? It doesn’t do anything just by itself. Chasin ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2014, 12:11am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-is-this-light-and-why-is-it-blinking/85377/8 "2014-06-11T00:11:42Z")
Right. You’re missing the remote that starts the engine. I think I’d let a shop that installs these things do it. If my guess is right, it’s bypassing the ignition switch when activated with the remote, and if the wiring isn’t reconnected IAW the circuitry schematics, the results could be inability to start the car again. A shop will have the schematics and the expertise to connect everything back up properly. ---
**Author:** ![ok4450](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ok4450](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ok4450)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2014, 4:36am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-is-this-light-and-why-is-it-blinking/85377/9 "2014-06-11T04:36:16Z")
Without getting too personal about finances, what about the device(s) being GPS locators and/or disablers placed there by the lienholder if the cars are financed. That’s fairly common anymore. ---
**Author:** ![ChasinMyTail](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@ChasinMyTail](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ChasinMyTail)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2014, 10:04am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-is-this-light-and-why-is-it-blinking/85377/10 "2014-06-11T10:04:48Z")
ok4450, it could have been at some point but I bought the car used last year and I do own it. I do have the Toyota service manual for the car and I do have a degree in electrical engineering so if the car keeps acting weird and not starting I might get into the project. Thank you all for the info. ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2014, 6:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-is-this-light-and-why-is-it-blinking/85377/11 "2014-06-11T18:38:53Z")
Ah, the plot changes! In that case, I’ll change my recommendation. If you have the Toyota shop manual with the schematics and the wiring diagrams, this should not be a problem for you to remove the mystery device. If you don’t, the Toyota parts guy at the dealership should be happy to print them for you. ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2014, 12:05am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-is-this-light-and-why-is-it-blinking/85377/12 "2014-06-12T00:05:10Z")
I would not remove it if the device is related to financing in some way. Instead, I would take it to whoever you bought it from and have them remove it.