Tesla Model 3 Computer Running on a Desk: Hardware Hacking Using Parts From Crashed Cars
Running a Tesla's Brain on Your Desk
Security researcher David Hu has published a detailed account of successfully running a Tesla Model 3's computer on his desk using parts sourced from crashed vehicles, as part of Tesla's bug bounty program.
The Hardware
The Tesla car computer consists of two main components:
- MCU (Media Control Unit) — runs the touchscreen interface and user-facing systems
- Autopilot Computer (AP) — layered on top, handles autonomous driving
The combined unit is the size of an iPad and the thickness of a 500-page book, wrapped in a water-cooled metal casing.
Sourcing Parts
- Found Tesla Model 3 MCUs on eBay for $200-$300 USD
- Sellers are salvage companies that buy crashed cars and part them out
- Touchscreen module cost $175 USD
- Some sellers include photos of the original crashed car
Key Discovery: Tesla's Public Schematics
Hu discovered that Tesla publishes complete wiring schematics for all its cars publicly on their service website. This includes:
- Exact wiring diagrams for every component
- Cable and connector specifications
- Pin-level diagrams showing what each wire does
The Display Cable Problem
The hardest part was the display cable, which uses a proprietary Rosenberger 99K10D-1D5A5-D connector. No single units are available commercially. Hu found a workaround using a BMW LVDS cable with a nearly identical connector.
First Boot
After connecting 12V power (drawing up to 8A at peak), the computer started successfully with flashing red LEDs. Hu then connected via Ethernet to the car's internal network (no DHCP — manual IP required) and began exploring.
Why This Matters
This research demonstrates the accessibility of vehicle electronics for security research, while also raising questions about what proprietary vehicle data and systems can be accessed with physically obtained hardware.