Will PLAD tech GPS tracker run my battery down?

[CompleteTruckNewbie]

My used truck came with a PLAD tech GPS tracker. The dealership says they install it in all their vehicles for theft protection and tried to charge me almost $1000 for the device for the theft protection aspect and supposedly for telemetry usefulness.
I said not thanks, please remove it, and they said it was too much hassle removing it, they would simply transfer the license to me for free, and it did show as a line item on the sale for $0 (so unlike some people on the internet, it was disclosed during the sale, but not removed)
I honestly don't see the need for it, PLAD tech is not very transparent about what they do with the tracking data, any future cost and opt out, and any telemetry I would care about is already handled by Ford and FordPass

As I was trying to learn more about GPS trackers, this youtube video mentions his car battery dies because of the tracker drawing battery. I expect my truck to sit unused for possibly weeks at a time over the next year, so that got me more worried about the side-effects of this tracker.

Does anyone know what the impact of such trackers, and PLAD tech in particular is on battery life?

I'll look under the dash and trace the wires to see if I can find the trackers and how its' connected. The tracker app is able to show my battery voltage and gas tank level, so I highly suspect it's connected to the ODB connector, and while it seems that there is no evidence such device interfere with FORscan, it's another reason why I might look at removing it.

I'll post back with my findings, including whether it's all inline connectors or whether it uses wire taps.

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[roadPilot]

You don't need that crap. Your truck already does most of what that does on it's own. They use those types of devices to be able to shut them down when people stop paying their car note so they can repo them.

 

[CompleteTruckNewbie]

You don't need that crap. Your truck already does most of what that does on it's own. They use those types of devices to be able to shut them down when people stop paying their car note so they can repo them.

That's what I hear but it's paid in full, I'll take a close look and see if it's easy to disconnect.

 

[roadPilot]

That's what I hear but it's paid in full, I'll take a close look and see if it's easy to disconnect.

Wouldn't matter to me. They are collecting your data. It's none of their business.

 

[CompleteTruckNewbie]

There is definitely something inline with the OBD-II port (I assume the white connector is the factory OBD-II connector)
Hard to see on the photo, I outlined it in yellow and the arrow points to it, but there is a cable going back under the dash, I can't seem to bend myself well enough to see exactly where, but I assume that's where the rest of the tracker is mounted

I think I'd have to remove the panel to the left and under the steering wheel to gain full access to it, although I may try tugging on the wire and see if I can fish what's there, if it's not zipped tied to something.
I can probably find instructions on how to remove that trim panel, but isn't it close to where the airbag is mounted?

I can start by unplugging the black connector from the white one and mount the white one in the bracket. That should hopefully cut power to the tracker but maybe not, it might be powered separately. I will definitely make sure that there is no foreign device between FORscan and my laptop though.

I have downloaded the app for the tracker so I suppose it should be pretty easy to see it it registers when my truck moves.

 

[CompleteTruckNewbie]

I found a picture of what I believe is the same tracker. Looks like no separate power, it draws power from the ODBD-II. I'm guessing the little thing on the left is a fuse?

 

[Kanuck]

I would unplug the black connector and remove that from the bracket. Reinstall the white, factory, OBD2 connector into the bracket. The side panel on the dash, I think, is only on with clips. A gentle steady pull should remove it. You could try following the smaller cable and see where it goes.

As far as the dealer not removing it...to me...that is an invasion of privacy. Even them giving you access to it, they can still track your truck if you didn't disconnect it.

 

[Kanuck]

That's what I hear but it's paid in full, I'll take a close look and see if it's easy to disconnect.

Side cutters work once you disconnect it from the white OEM connector.

 

[CompleteTruckNewbie]

once I disconnected it from the ODB-II port it became easier to tug on it and get the hardness out. The unit itself (the rectangular box) is zipped tied to something and I didn't want to risk snagging sone other cable, soi I unclipped the harness connector and left it in. Maybe I could have had some fun with the SIM card in it, but I'm going to leave it at that for now.

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