Removing a GPS tracker

[LavaRand]

I was putting fog lights in my van when I found this gem flashing under the dash. I googled the FCC ID and found it's a GPS tracker.

I want to get rid of it obviously, but I don't know if I just yank it out of there if it will kill my van. Has anyone dealt with one of these before? Why and who would put these on?

 

[wpod]

Remove it and see what happens. Car manufactures track us and sell the data . Old news,

 

[Rust_Belt_Pete]

Remove it and see what happens. Car manufactures track us and sell the data . Old news,

Except now the tracking is built into the infrastructure of the car and might brick it if you try. Oh also they now rip the data off your phone and sell that to 3rd parties too!

 

[bdcardinal]

I want to get rid of it obviously, but I don't know if I just yank it out of there if it will kill my van. Has anyone dealt with one of these before? Why and who would put these on?

Buy here, Pay here (BHPH) lots put these on vehicles to they are easier to repo when people default on their loan.

 

[KrisZ]

It's not going to do anything bad, it's a stand alone tracker.
Get rid of it ASAP and toss in in the trash. They can track it as it travels the great trash route.

 

[bdcardinal]

Also, when you unplug the tracker, follow those wires and I will almost guarantee they are scotch-locked into other wires.

 

[Rust_Belt_Pete]

Also, when you unplug the tracker, follow those wires and I will almost guarantee they are scotch-locked into other wires.

Splish splash and you have a bricked car.

 

[LavaRand]

Well I unplugged it, left all the wiring harness in place, and the car still starts and runs as far as I can tell. I put some tape over the plug and will just leave it alone for now.

 

[RitcheyRch]

Yes, aftermarket tracker installed by the dealer. I have removed the same one from all my vehicles.

 

[vavavroom]

Well I unplugged it, left all the wiring harness in place, and the car still starts and runs as far as I can tell. I put some tape over the plug and will just leave it alone for now.

And where do you keep the possibly-powered by an internal backup battery tracker?
Will you ask your dealer what for they installed this tracker and where in the fine print you were notified of this extra non-OEM equipment and where you consented to data sharing? Are you going to make them share with whom they shared what data?

 

[bullwinkle]

And where do you keep the possibly-powered by an internal backup battery tracker?
Will you ask your dealer what for they installed this tracker and where in the fine print you were notified of this extra non-OEM equipment and where you consented to data sharing? Are you going to make them share with whom they shared what data?

He keeps it on his Android smartphone!

 

[incognito_2u]

Not that I'm wearing a tin foil hat, but I wonder what the legality of putting a tracking device on a vehicle without cause, and without consent?
Tracking devices require a Court order to be installed. (Barring exigent circumstances)
What State are you in?
Good read here:
https://www.ncsl.org/technology-and...e-of-location-tracking-devices-state-statutes

 

[jhellwig]

Also, when you unplug the tracker, follow those wires and I will almost guarantee they are scotch-locked into other wires.

The ones in our company vehicles have a Y harness on the OBD port to connect them.

 

[PontiacHO]

Is it a lease or financed through a dealer financing package? Was it bought used and originally used as a or rental vehicle?

 

[bdcardinal]

Not that I'm wearing a tin foil hat, but I wonder what the legality of putting a tracking device on a vehicle without cause, and without consent?
Tracking devices require a Court order to be installed. (Barring exigent circumstances)
What State are you in?
Good read here:
https://www.ncsl.org/technology-and...e-of-location-tracking-devices-state-statutes

I am sure it is included in the paperwork you sign when buying from a BHPH lot like that.

 

[incognito_2u]

I am sure it is included in the paperwork you sign when buying from a BHPH lot like that.

Well I would certainly hope so, because it is a true violation of his 4th Amendment rights.

 

[bdcardinal]

Well I would certainly hope so, because it is a true violation of his 4th Amendment rights.

Only if the government does it. The GPS trackers that people have posted from Reddit from the alphabet agencies in theory all had warrants associated with them.

 

[incognito_2u]

Only if the government does it. The GPS trackers that people have posted from Reddit from the alphabet agencies in theory all had warrants associated with them.

Looking at the photo of the tracker in question leads me to believe that it’s a cheaply made device. Not up to the Standards of any Law Enforcement or Government entity. That being said, I believe it still is an egregious violation if in fact the operator of the vehicle was not informed of that device being in place. Has the OP replied as to what he has since found out regarding this device?

 

[D60]

I am sure it is included in the paperwork you sign when buying from a BHPH lot like that.

Plus if you're a lienholder it's different. Not much different than them requiring full coverage, or your mortgage requiring property insurance (all of which I'm sure is spelled out in legal paperwork)

Putting a tracker on a car in which you have no fiduciary or financial interest could be stalking, sure.

And there's likely no requirement for BHPH places to remove them. Theoretically they should simply disable/stop caring once they're paid in full.

 

[D60]

Splish splash and you have a bricked car.

No, scotchloks are merely (the worst, laziest possible way) to tap into wires. They're not interrupting any existing wires.