The Mysterious Black Box

[sp30's galore]

ok, got an official answer. 3 reasons, can be a child seat sensor to de-activate airbag if kiddy seat is fitted (not likely for our cars!). Can be to control electrically moving seats or seat heaters (again not us).

So, that leaves one option, it is a semsor for the seat belt. It detects whether you have your seat belt clipped in when you are driving, which then sets that red light off on the dash if you haven't.

Ok?

[prezjamin]

Cheers fella, you have saved alot of people alot of headaches. lol

[sp30's galore]

no prob's. Glad i could be of use for a change!!

[Nelo]

I reckon its a microwave. Did you try putting in a fillet of chicken and sticking it onto full power for 3 minutes?

[BenF]

ok, got an official answer. 3 reasons, can be a child seat sensor to de-activate airbag if kiddy seat is fitted (not likely for our cars!). Can be to control electrically moving seats or seat heaters (again not us).

So, that leaves one option, it is a semsor for the seat belt. It detects whether you have your seat belt clipped in when you are driving, which then sets that red light off on the dash if you haven't.

Ok?

I bet its none of those ... there isn't a seat belt sensor on my Mk1 - and I've got the box. If it was something to do with the belts, it would be built into the latch mechanism at the side of the seat, not under the seat.

I suspect it was the amp for the original Toyota soundsystem in the car.

You'd probably get a quicker answer to this question if you'd have put MK1 in the subject line.

[Grant]

i dont think it could be for remote central locking as my 1991 g-ltd has it and when i got the car it had no alarm/remote just a key ( so i assume the car has no remote locking as standard) got knows what is it ?? id like to know!!

[sadako]

Mk1 = black flat box screwed with metal brackets under the drivers seat, about 6-8 inches square by 2-3 deep = subwoofer.

I tried unsuccessfully to retrieve one from a breaker last month, I later decided to work out how to fit a DECENT sub to the rear bulkhead

[paul port]

What makes you lot think he is talking about a Mk1? His profile states 1994 Toyota MR2...

My money is still on a remote receiver for central locking.

paul

[sadako]

What makes you lot think he is talking about a Mk1? His profile states 1994 Toyota MR2...

My money is still on a remote receiver for central locking.

paul

I was referring to BenF

[Leon.]

Just caught this one

I have both a UK NA rev 4 and a Turbo import rev 4. My NA didn't have this box but my turbo does.

My turbo doesn't have an alarm or immobiliser (yet) so its not this. Its not central locking related because my NA also is central locking but doesn't have the box. This really only leaves seatbelt sensor or amp. I agree with BenF that the belt thing is unlikely - the box is far too big for that.

So it must be related to the sound system.

[Chris]

My car has not got one.....I feel left out! My car also has no standard amplifier fitted tho. Maybe is sound system related

[Andy K]

Paul Port is 100% correct, it's the receiver for the optional factory central locking on imports.
If you have lock and unlock buttons on your key, this is the rx for it.
I've had mine in bits for a fault, two large coils in it, relays etc.