SOLVED: High pitched alarm on startup

[m_bt54]

good find!

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[Kanuck]

If it is only a tracker and not a disabler, It should only have a Power and ground wires on it.. easy disconnect. Just have to find it...

 

[m_bt54]

If it is only a tracker and not a disabler, It should only have a Power and ground wires on it.. easy disconnect. Just have to find it...

or even better try to figure out how to configure it to your liking and use it

 

[JJSnell]

I thought it might have been one of those breathalyzer things people with DUIs have to use before they start the truck up.

 

[ginosega]

SOLVED: I called the dealership and they confirmed that they forgot to deactivate the tracker when I bought the truck. While they were able to do that remotely, I still wanted it out of the vehicle and they told me how to find it. It was simple - just remove the dashboard side panel and the unit was zip-tied to the top of the side window defrost vent and connected via a plug, the other end of which was tapped into the OBD port power. I should have noticed that tap yesterday, but now I know what to look for.

While doing this I was reminded of the scene in the beginning of The Matrix where they extract the tracking device from Neo's belly button ;-).

Job done, thanks all for your help!

 

[JJSnell]

So let's back up a little bit. What is this for exactly? Is this like GPS tracking for insurance purposes? Did the previous owner have some sort of ankle bracelet / GPS tracking for legal reasons? Was it so the owner could find the automobile if it was stolen?
Why would this even be used?

 

[ginosega]

So let's back up a little bit. What is this for exactly? Is this like GPS tracking for insurance purposes? Did the previous owner have some sort of ankle bracelet / GPS tracking for legal reasons? Was it so the owner could find the automobile if it was stolen?
Why would this even be used?

From my research and what my dealer has told me, many dealers install these on all their vehicles - both new and used - for a couple of reasons:

• Theft recovery/repossession: If the vehicle is stolen from the lot, or if a leasee fails to make payments, they can locate and recover it. These devices can be set up with a geofence, and if the vehicle is driven beyond that range (for example on a test drive) it will alarm and alert the dealer. I'm assuming that's what mine did.
• Post-sale monetization: Rather than remove the device when they make a sale, they can offer it as a benefit to the buyer to locate the vehicle in case it is stolen from them down the road. My dealer offered this to me for around $500 but I declined.

 

[JJSnell]

From my research and what my dealer has told me, many dealers install these on all their vehicles - both new and used - for a couple of reasons:

• Theft recovery/repossession: If the vehicle is stolen from the lot, or if a leasee fails to make payments, they can locate and recover it. These devices can be set up with a geofence, and if the vehicle is driven beyond that range (for example on a test drive) it will alarm and alert the dealer. I'm assuming that's what mine did.
• Post-sale monetization: Rather than remove the device when they make a sale, they can offer it as a benefit to the buyer to locate the vehicle in case it is stolen from them down the road. My dealer offered this to me for around $500 but I declined.

Ahh ok... Wonder why they have that? Our trucks come with a GPS built in with our FordPass. Not sure if its "Live" while in motion, Ive never tested but right now my FordPass is telling me my trucks in my driveway....

 

[Captain Dirty Beard]

SOLVED: I called the dealership and they confirmed that they forgot to deactivate the tracker when I bought the truck. While they were able to do that remotely, I still wanted it out of the vehicle and they told me how to find it. It was simple - just remove the dashboard side panel and the unit was zip-tied to the top of the side window defrost vent and connected via a plug, the other end of which was tapped into the OBD port power. I should have noticed that tap yesterday, but now I know what to look for.

While doing this I was reminded of the scene in the beginning of The Matrix where they extract the tracking device from Neo's belly button ;-).

Job done, thanks all for your help!

My truck makes this exact same noise. I always thought it was some sort of additional reverse warning, or some kind of "check your surroundings" prompt as part of the Powerboost option. I'm going hunting for this thing as soon as I get home

 

[ginosega]

Good luck! Let me know if you have any trouble.

 

[jhelrey]

I would have torn my truck apart the first time I heard that god awful noise.

 

[Captain Dirty Beard]

I would have torn my truck apart the first time I heard that god awful noise.

And, it only does it maybe 25% of the time. I wonder now why it is alarming in the first place. Sometimes I will be 500 feet down the road before it goes off.

 

[ginosega]

And, it only does it maybe 25% of the time. I wonder now why it is alarming in the first place. Sometimes I will be 500 feet down the road before it goes off.

Same here. Not sure why it did not do it all the time or why it did not do it at all in the first 2 weeks after I bought the truck.

 

[m_bt54]

well, apparently, now we know the dealerships at least aren’t monitoring these things otherwise I they would’ve gotten sick of the notifications and reached out by now

 

[Captain Dirty Beard]

Sure enough. Mine was ziptied to the main harness.

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