When i’m Searching on eBay for some items like infotainment system or any other electronic part the seller writes this note “component Protection removed” or “unlocked” , what does it mean??

Pretty much what it says on the tin. 

 

Certain components are locked by VIN number to the vehicle they were originally built with to help reduce theft.

 

Dealers and some crafty individuals can disable this lock so that you can insert a component previously locked to another car, into your car and it'll work (assuming that it's compatible in the first place.)

28 minutes ago, gRoberts said:

Pretty much what it says on the tin. 

 

Certain components are locked by VIN number to the vehicle they were originally built with to help reduce theft.

 

Dealers and some crafty individuals can disable this lock so that you can insert a component previously locked to another car, into your car and it'll work (assuming that it's compatible in the first place.)

 

So there is no need for online coding for those “unlocked” devices?

Just now, Gemybasha said:

 

So there is no need for online coding for those “unlocked” devices?

 

@SashaGrace would no doubt be the most qualified person I can think of to answer that, but my understanding is, no, they "should" be plug and play, assuming they are already compatible with your vehicle.

Unlocked means should be able to plug in and go and it will mark itself so it cannot be used in another vehicle,   some smart software can normally unlock a previously locked item.

 

locked is normally restricted to a type (or for a phone, to a specific network)

 

Coded means a code will need to be entered first time of use (bit like a password)

 

Removed suggests the item was previously in another vehicle, why it was removed (vehicle scrapped, unit replaced, or if stolen etc) is open

 

Edited 6 December, 20187 yr by SurreyJohn

Yes, if the seller is declaring that it has been unlocked, they will have returned it to being a "virgin" unit, ie as if it had just been lifted from the parts department shelves, so fit and use.

I bought a used Audi Radio with DAB and knew that it would be a component covered by this protection so I found a VW Group Indie workshop that could unlock after I fitted into my car - that cost £55 I think and took about 15 minutes.

 

If you ever buy a used protected infotainment unit, if you fit it and don't switch on the ignition, you will be able to check that it works okay for a short period in time, if you switch on the ignition, like I did after accidentally finding that it worked okay - really to read its coding and recode it ready for handing it in for component protection - then the sound will be muted for ever until you get protection removed.

 

I didn't fancy booking that car into my dealership as being Audi they would take a dim view of someone bypassing their parts department and probably blab on about it not being possible!

 

Edit:- remember after fitting a new item or a component protection removed item, the car will see this as part of it and if you want to refit the previous item it will not accept it and you will need to get protection of that original item removed to reuse it later, maybe if you sell the car and intend to refit the original lower grade infotainment for instance.

Edited 6 December, 20187 yr by rum4mo

As above, CP unlocked should mean ready to go if it’s done right

1 hour ago, SurreyJohn said:

Unlocked means should be able to plug in and go and it will mark itself so it cannot be used in another vehicle,   some smart software can normally unlock a previously locked item.

 

locked is normally restricted to a type (or for a phone, to a specific network)

 

Coded means a code will need to be entered first time of use (bit like a password)

 

Removed suggests the item was previously in another vehicle, why it was removed (vehicle scrapped, unit replaced, or if stolen etc) is open

 

 

So there no difference between “online coding “ & “CP unlock” in the end result (i.e. device functionality) right?

2 hours ago, SashaGrace said:

As above, CP unlocked should mean ready to go if it’s done right

 

@SashaGrace so how they do the “CP Removal”?? Is it through ODIS or it’ Just a hack??

4 hours ago, Gemybasha said:

So there no difference between “online coding “ & “CP unlock” in the end result (i.e. device functionality) right?

There is, but it depends on the wording. Strictly speaking the CP unlock and the coding to make something work in a car are different. It would really help to know what it is you are looking at. If it’s a radio unit, perhaps post a link and we can see the exact wording. 

 

2 hours ago, Gemybasha said:

@SashaGrace so how they do the “CP Removal”?? Is it through ODIS or it’ Just a hack??

CP removal afaik is ODIS-E with a connection to VAG servers at a main dealer, I guess the aftermarket services use a version of ODIS to do it along with sorting the coding to get the component (whatever it is) to work.

Just one thing, if this unit has been reported stolen and it needs component protection removed, then if you take it to a proper VW Group Indie or a VW Group dealership they should tell you this an maybe VW Group will alert the police - though I'd doubt they would if it is a low value "older" unit.

How the process is meant to work is, the car with this new unit fitted is connected to VW Group Mothership, its details/status is checked against master records, if it has not been added to the "stolen" list, it will get converted back to being a virgin unit and then car will then add it to its list of components and remove the original unit, then VW Group Mothership should update its records.

Other backstreet operators might be able to turn a stolen unit into a virgin unit though!

 

Edit:- as said earlier, "coding" probably only refers to making a unit 100% suitable for fitting into "your" car - taking the case of the Audi Concert radio I bought for my S4, it was previously fitted into an Audi A5 that did not have front parking sensors or TPMS and maybe a different amplifier/equaliser, so if I had just fitted it into my S4, I would have lost front parking sensor with OPS, being able to reset TPMS and I would not get the S4 specific splash screen and maybe more - so to correctly integrate this radio into my car I recoded it where necessary - that is all.  I really depends on how interested you are in matching this new unit to your actual car, some differences might not bother you if they are missing or wrong.

Edited 7 December, 20187 yr by rum4mo