Unknown Wire harness by OBDII

[jamelski]

Does any one else have this? Brand new 2024 lariat never saw this before I found a piece of tape dangling on the floor too. Obviously it was holding it up. From what I can tell one wire goes way up into the panel I can’t see where and it looks like some type of a harness that was attached to the back of the OBD II. ??‍ goggled part number some type of man x harness but can’t really find anything

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[Runaway Tractor]

First unplug it immediately and leave it unplugged. That's most likely a dealer installed GPS tracking device. This is becoming more and more prevalent from lots of dealers of every kind. You didn't ask for it and you have absolutely no obligation to leave it operational.

After it is unplugged, you can follow the wires and remove it completely. Or just leave it. Eventually the dealer will call and ask about it if they care. At which point you should speak to their manager and explain to them that he is an ass and if he wants it back he can come get it and shove it up where it truely belongs

 

[H8N-8NT-EZ]

You absolutely can unplug it. That harness is powering something like a Lojack more than likely. And is probably draining your LVB. The white OBDII port that the harness is plugged into is your actual OBDII port and should be where that black port is now.

 

[jamelski]

Thanks everyone. I have unplugged and put the white OBD part back but now I have a long single cable going up into the dash some where ??

 

[jamelski]

Well, I followed a single cord and like gently pulled it and came out of something. Don’t feel like taking apart the dash to find out what it was connected to. It’s probably zip tied somewhere in the dashboard

 

[carys98]

Name the dealer so others can avoid this.

 

[jamelski]

Well thanks again everyone. It was definitely a low jack some company spireon. At first, I didn’t wanna open up the dash because I’m like this is a brand new car but I remember when I had pulled on the cord I thought something fell but I was like maybe it was just the cord making the sound so I went back in there with my hand underneath the dash and I’m like I don’t feel anything, but I found this thread
https://www.f150lightningforum.com/...disassemble-the-lightning-dash-cluster.13393/
@markboris thanks.
Which an awesome forum member put a PDF from the Ford manual of how to open up underneath the steering wheel, which I was pretty sure where it was as soon as I popped off the left side panel just four of the clips didn’t even take the whole thing off this stupid thing came tumbling. Now I should look if I can sell this thing or I should just throw it away. ? But I’ll do the right thing and call them or just drop it off and be like nice try. ??

 

[jamelski]

Name the dealer so others can avoid this.

Downtown Sacramento Ford.

 

[bmwhitetx]

At least they didn't splice into the OBD wires like this thread:
https://www.f150lightningforum.com/forum/threads/how-is-this-component-secured.15027/post-309870.

Dealers put these on to either 1) track cars if they get stolen off the lot/ test drive, etc. and 2) sell you a theft service. Or both (see post 20 of that thread where salesman confessed).

 

[Runaway Tractor]

There's of course some possibly legit reasons to have something like this if you as the owner want it. What is absolutely wrong is the dealer installing a tracking device in your vehicle without your knowledge and consent. The dealer is the only one that can log in and use it, and there are no privacy controls in place. Any creep at the dealer could creep on any customer they want.

Dealers that do this without knowledge and consent need to be called out. I've read about people that go to to the dealer and loudly make a huge scene so all their customers can hear it.

 

[Adventureboy]

Please let us know which dealer did this. If you leased, there may be a fine print clause allowing them to do this but they should have told you explicitly.

 

[mrau]

Please let us know which dealer did this.

OP already did. See post #9.

 

[Crullbri]

Good god, now i am going to have to look on my truck.

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