Black Box & Strange Wiring

[StandardJonny]

I've got an '02 9N1 1.4l 16v with optional front fog lights from factory - this will become important shortly.

I've got the stands Polo 9N / Fabia 6Y immobiliser issue meaning the immobiliser won't deactivate if that car has been driven for more that 5ish miles, or if it's a warm day. I'm currently chasing this issue.

Whilst I had the dash cluster pulled out earlier I noticed a black box situated behind the dash cluster. The box has no writing I can see on it, it's relatively well stuck in there and won't come out with just a quick tug, it has one LED that seemed to flick between a red, orange, and green light flashing in various patterns - though this stopped after a few minutes of looking at it puzzled.

From this box there is a cable/wire about the thickness of a TV power cable, this cable can be traced down the back of the dashboard and is rather crudely spliced into a double fuse arrangement that is electrically taped together before being further spliced into two wires coming out the back of the headlight switch. A black earth wire, coming from the same cable, is screwed directly into the chassis of the car above the fuse box.

Now, I have the original purchase documents for this car (good service history) and it indicates that the front fog lights were an optional extra at the point of purchase, so I doubt this is an aftermarket attempt at fog light installation.

But the question is...what is it?

I'm hoping it's some latent black box fitted by a previous owner, but the crude wiring leads me to believe otherwise. I'm really hoping that by removing it I'll be free of the dreaded immobiliser issue, but my gut tells me that's going to be a trip to solder town...

Thoughts on a postcard. Also, a nice picture of the 9N in question....

[iichel]

looks like something like a gps tracker or a trip registration system. they are known to stop blinking when stared at.

[StandardJonny]

I figured it'd be something along those lines. Do you reckon it's safe enough to pry it out in the hopes there's writing on the other side?

I'm verging on 100% satisfied that it's not some factory fitted optional extra I've never heard of, but would like a second opinion.