Technical What is this small black box?

[Scoooch]

Located on the upper passenger kick panel (out of sight).

Google image search returned nothing, at first I thought it was an aftermarket add-on, but the branding on the cover is Italian:

 

[the green vanper]

Could be anything...

Can you retype the numbers on the chip? Perhaps that would show some results on the internet.

 

[Scoooch]

Could be anything...

Can you retype the numbers on the chip? Perhaps that would show some results on the internet.

Looks like a standard IC ,,, Cd4001cn mm5601an

 

[GettinBetter]

Looks like a latching timer, designed to turn something off after a preset time. Wires are quite chunky, so perhaps a mirror/or rear screen heating circuit. (having a stab in the dark here) so does your vehicle have any of these? Are you able to trace the wires?

 

[Scoooch]

Looks like a latching timer, designed to turn something off after a preset time. Wires are quite chunky, so perhaps a mirror/or rear screen heating circuit. (having a stab in the dark here) so does your vehicle have any of these? Are you able to trace the wires?

I guess emissions maybe? I plan on tracing at some point - the wiring goes up behind the glove box along that lower support rail (behind the dash).

 

[GettinBetter]

...It could perhaps be a timer for the intermittant setting on the wipers?

Can I ask what makes you think emmissions?

 

[Scoooch]

...It could perhaps be a timer for the intermittant setting on the wipers?

Can I ask what makes you think emmissions?

Wiper timer is a SOLID suggestion. I think you may be on to something there!!! I am going to test this out when I get home this evening!

I was thinking emissions: recirculating valves are triggered on specific events and timing. That was my approach,

 

[portland_bill]

Does it have remote locking? I'd be surprised, but it does look like it might be a receiver.
Tracing the wiring, is their a connector plug reachable? Disconnect it and see what stops working.

 

[the green vanper]

Cd4001cn

It's a NOR gate:

A NOR gate delivers a high output only when neither of its inputs receives a high signal. In simpler terms, it provides a false output if any or both inputs are true. This behavior makes NOR gates fundamental in constructing logical circuits and forming the basis for more complex operations.

Doesn't sound to me like wiper timer. But I can be mistaken, it's too late for me for such logical thinking

 

[AndyRKett]

It's a NOR gate:

A NOR gate delivers a high output only when neither of its inputs receives a high signal. In simpler terms, it provides a false output if any or both inputs are true. This behavior makes NOR gates fundamental in constructing logical circuits and forming the basis for more complex operations.

Doesn't sound to me like wiper timer. But I can be mistaken, it's too late for me for such logical thinking

This was what I noticed as well, made me wonder if I was an immobiliser of sorts or something that turns on a light when either door is open? Looks like the package has two NOR gates. It’s pretty basic logic, so I have to wonder if it’s a “module” of sorts for a dash function. Maybe a chime for leaving a door open or not putting on a seatbelt.