Is this a slimy dealer GPS tracker?

[MrLoganRoss]

I called the dealer and I now understand the game that they play. They tell you about a system when you buy the car and then you say you’re not interested in so they say they deactivate it. It is quite misleading to say that it is deactivated when it is still fully operational and trackable . Basically, you don’t get any service benefit without subscribing to their service and hence it is “de-activated”. It does not mean that the device itself is deactivated and that the magic people in the cloud can’t still track you. In other words, what they are really telling you is they are deactivating what you have access to. That is simply not the same as deactivating the device so that no one else can access it or use the data from it.

as the title of this thread says: SLIMY!!!!

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[Henry Ford]

I called the dealer and I now understand the game that they play. They tell you about a system when you buy the car and then you say you’re not interested in so they say they deactivate it. It is quite misleading to say that it is deactivated when it is still fully operational and trackable . Basically, you don’t get any service benefit without subscribing to their service and hence it is “de-activated”. It does not mean that the device itself is deactivated and that the magic people in the cloud can’t still track you. In other words, what they are really telling you is they are deactivating what you have access to. That is simply not the same as deactivating the device so that no one else can access it or use the data from it.

as the title of this thread says: SLIMY!!!!

Name the dealership. They don't want my business and I don't want to give it to them by mistake.

 

[Theredshift]

I was doing some scouting around the car while I prepare for an audio upgrade project. I discovered this with a power wire tapped into the back of the ODB interface. Does anyone recognize it? Is this one of those sleazy slimy trackers that dealers install on the car and don’t tell you about? This does not appear to be a part of my dash cam.

Where would i look for this on my 23 lariat? I just bought used out of state
Thanks

 

[TaxmanHog]

Name the dealership. They don't want my business and I don't want to give it to them by mistake.

Doubt you'll be buying from a dealer in the PNW, but that information is still helpful to those in the market !

 

[solastobann]

Here is what it is, definitely a tracker.... Not a budget one either, so it's likely they charged for it in some hidden line in your deal paperwork. If they didn't disclose it anywhere, you may want to take it out, and return to the dealership with it in hand and start asking questions, since it's not likely legal if it was not disclosed.

I wouldn’t return it to the dealer.

 

[molsonmatt]

Is this the actual device that the FordPass app uses to locate the truck? If you remove it, see if the truck location can be found in the app.

 

[RickLightning]

Is this the actual device that the FordPass app uses to locate the truck? If you remove it, see if the truck location can be found in the app.

It is not.

Where would i look for this on my 23 lariat? I just bought used out of state
Thanks

The OBD port on your truck. Look for anything plugged into it.

 

[RickLightning]

I bought an Explorer in 1998, and found this type of device on it. They said they use it for inventory protection - and also try to sell you the service at time of sale. I cut it out and tossed it.

 

[MaintGrl]

I was told it was an anti theft device. should the truck get stolen they can track it and shut it down, or cripple it if needed.
That being said, if it was stolen as a crime of opportunity, It may help, But I would think anyone in the theft business would already know or assume it was there and yank it out or disable it...

 

[Discwizard70]

I was told it was an anti theft device. should the truck get stolen they can track it and shut it down, or cripple it if needed.
That being said, if it was stolen as a crime of opportunity, It may help, But I would think anyone in the theft business would already know or assume it was there and yank it out or disable it...

Yes, criminals do know where it is, but the Ford pass app does the same, for free, and is built in. This means the aftermarket tracker is handled separately and includes 3rd parties. Yeah.... No thanks, it doesn't do enough things or anything revolutionary that you don't get free and non removable by theives.
If that was in my truck and not in my purchase contract, not only would I remove it, but I would lawyer up due to privacy laws. No need to keep it in the truck, as it won't help YOU, only THEM. (Dealership/repo agents/etc) However, if it's disclosed, and you signed for it, you are stuck with it.

 

[topher10]

The OBD port on your truck. Look for anything plugged into it.

I thought to check my truck for this too, but as I understand it woudln't be directly plugged into the OBD2 port, but instead wired into it somehow. I assume I need to trace wires from the OBD and see if they lead anywhere interesting...

 

[rembrant]

I was doing some scouting around the car while I prepare for an audio upgrade project. I discovered this with a power wire tapped into the back of the ODB interface. Does anyone recognize it? Is this one of those sleazy slimy trackers that dealers install on the car and don’t tell you about? This does not appear to be a part of my dash cam.

I remember when I was looking to buy my truck some of the dealerships had installed low jack in the trucks because they’re having issues of trucks stolen off of their off site lot, they offered it for me to continue the lo Jack monthly included in my payment that could be what is installed in your truck.

 

[ryun]

Oh dang I got one of those dumb, dealer installed, anti theft packages on my truck too (there are stickers on the windows, tail gate, etc.). I just thought they metal-stamped some serial number into certain, valuable components. But now I'm wondering if they put a GPS tracker somewhere. The salesman was nice when I declined the service at least. He just said, "Don't sweat it. I'll just waive the fee since we already did the work."

So just check the OBD-II port for any wires that lead elsewhere I guess? OP, where did you find yours?

 

[K6CCC]

I would drop it off at the dealer - AFTER putting a few bullet holes in it.

 

[Henry Ford]

Doubt you'll be buying from a dealer in the PNW, but that information is still helpful to those in the market !

I wasn't speaking for anyone else but if it helps others, all the better.

I don't think bad actors should be protected with anonymity.

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