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EDIT: In the ensuing comments it was pretty much determined that the device could be easily and safely removed. It had been inactive all these years until we got a cellular booster antenna and installed it 50’ from where the vehicle is parked. It started picking up the cell signal and was looking for a, now nonexistent, home.

Before we could get to removing the device, lightning hit that antenna and our internet satellite dish. Totally fried both receivers along with a whole slew of electronics.

At that point removing the device was pretty much a moot point.

I’ve owned my truck for 5 years and this thing was tucked up under the dash. I found it when I took the dash out. It has an IMEI associated with an iPhone 4S. It’s also has an FCC number. That’s howi found it was a tracking device. It appears to be wired into the computer with red and black wires. There were several other wires of various colors attached but they’ve been cut and are no longer connected.

The lights on the device weren’t blinking and it wasn’t active but recently the lights have started blinking. I’ve determined it’s the cause of the recent perpetual battery drain I’ve experienced of late.

My question is can I cut the wires to this tracker without screwing up my computer, and if not, what do I do to deactivate it?

https://pic8.co/sh/31hdPa.jpeg

Edited to clarify the colors and plurality of the wires.

EDIT: In the ensuing comments it was pretty much determined that the device could be easily and safely removed. It had been inactive all these years until we got a cellular booster antenna and installed it 50’ from where the vehicle is parked. It started picking up the cell signal and was looking for a, now nonexistent, home. Before we could get to removing the device, lightning hit that antenna and our internet satellite dish. Totally fried both receivers along with a whole slew of electronics. At that point removing the device was pretty much a moot point. ***** I’ve owned my truck for 5 years and this thing was tucked up under the dash. I found it when I took the dash out. It has an IMEI associated with an iPhone 4S. It’s also has an FCC number. That’s howi found it was a tracking device. It appears to be wired into the computer with red and black wires. There were several other wires of various colors attached but they’ve been cut and are no longer connected. The lights on the device weren’t blinking and it wasn’t active but recently the lights have started blinking. I’ve determined it’s the cause of the recent perpetual battery drain I’ve experienced of late. My question is can I cut the wires to this tracker without screwing up my computer, and if not, what do I do to deactivate it? https://pic8.co/sh/31hdPa.jpeg Edited to clarify the colors and plurality of the wires.

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[–] • 10 pts (edited )

My guess is since it was in the dash, which is a rather tricky place to quickly plant a tracker, that it could have been a company vehicle. The two wires connected are 12V power and shouldn't do harm to the computer, remember to terminate the leads though.

[–] • 4 pts

This is a 2000 Xterra. It spent a lot of time in the mountains of Colorado. I’m thinking it was installed in case the owner got into trouble in the woods.

[–] • 5 pts

Almost every single car dealership in California pre-installs that shit on every single car on the lot. They charge you for it, too. If you don't want it they will flat out refuse the sale. Sometimes they'll agree to remove the charge, but they will still refuse to remove the unit. Why? Because they have contracts with the companies that make these devices and put them in every car so they can hunt you down if you default. They don't care if you're paying cash, they still won't remove them.

You can't buy a new car out of state because California will not register a new car purchases out of state.

[–] • 8 pts

One of the thousands of reasons I won’t live in California

[–] [deleted] • 1 pt

You can buy a car out of state, you just have to pay the taxes to California as if you’d purchased it in state.

[–] • 1 pt

You can't buy a new car out of state because California will not register a new car purchases out of state.

Wtf am I reading

[+] [deleted] • 1 pt
[–] • 1 pt

You can't buy a new car out of state because California will not register a new car purchases out of state.

What? Wouldn't it just be a used car then?

[–] [deleted] • 0 pt

So just get a p.o. box in that other state and register it there plus you'll have lower registration what is Arizona 30 bucks to get a car on the road? Correct me if I'm wrong