Running Tesla Model 3's computer on my desk using parts from crashed cars

Tesla runs a bug bounty program that invites researchers to find security vulnerabilities in their vehicles. To participate, I needed the actual hardware, so I started looking for Tesla Model 3 parts on eBay. My goal was to get a Tesla car computer and touchscreen running on my desk, booting the car’s operating system.

The car computer consists of two parts - the MCU (Media Control Unit) and the autopilot computer (AP) layered on top of each other. In the car, the computer is located in front of the passenger seat, roughly behind the glovebox. The part itself is the size of an iPad and the thickness of a ~500 page book and is covered in a water-cooled metal casing.

By searching for “Tesla Model 3 MCU” on Ebay, I found quite a lot of results in the $200 - $300 USD price range. Looking at the listings, I found that many of these sellers are “salvaging” companies who buy crashed cars, take them apart, and list all parts for sale individually.

To boot the car up and interact with it, I needed a few more things: a DC power supply capable of providing 12V (10A version recommended), a touchscreen module, and the display cable. The last and most difficult part to order was the cable which connects the MCU to the screen. Interestingly, Tesla publishes the wiring “Electrical Reference” for all of its cars publicly, which helped identify the specific Rosenberger connector needed.

After an initial hardware failure where a short circuit burnt a power controller chip (MAX16932CATIS/V+T), I managed to repair the board and eventually purchased a full Dashboard Wiring Harness to get the correct connections. The car booted, the touch screen started up, and I had a working car computer on my desk, running the car's operating system for security research.