4 ms·

If the device could simply be removed, it would be pretty easy to circumvent. I'd imagine there is some sort of phone-home that indicates the device is still c

If the device could simply be removed, it would be pretty easy to circumvent. I'd imagine there is some sort of phone-home that indicates the device is still connected, and any tampering of the device could result in heavy penalties--including forfeiting the vehicle.

devmunchies 9y ago
remove the battery first?
- gargravarr 9y ago
  Trackers have internal battery backups for exactly this reason.
- balls187 9y ago
  Remove the battery & the backup battery would mean the device is no longer phoning home. Flag any vehicles that haven't reported in over a 24-hour period.
  - devmunchies 9y ago
    would it matter if they flag your vehicle as long as they can no longer track or shut it down?
    - icebraining 9y ago
      Unless you're planning to move to a different house just to avoid a payment, they probably know where to find it.
    - balls187 9y ago
      If the dealer still owns the title, yes. If you own the vehicle, you're right, screw them.
tyingq 9y ago
You could just jump the ignition lockout part without disturbing or touching the unit at all. The dealer would still have your gps location, but couldn't lock you out. The devices are pretty simplistic. No deep integration with the car, they just are wired inline to the ignition switch. http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-remove-a-GPS-disabler-from-a-vehicle/ http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-remove-a-GPS-disabler...
dsfyu404ed 9y ago
>I'd imagine there is some sort of phone-home that indicates the device is still connected, and any tampering of the device could result in heavy penalties--including forfeiting the vehicle. There is patchy cell service in many parts of Canada. People would be very angry and dealers wouldn't do this if they went on vacation for a week and their car didn't work when they came back. It's far more likely that it pings a server when it gets connectivity and takes action based on the response. A dead man's switch type system would be very hard to implement with a sufficiently low false positive rate for this type of thing. For a vehicle you own (like in OP's story) there should be no problem. In most jurisdictions you're somewhat free to do what you want with property you own but is under a lien (e.g. you can put a new porch on your house even if you haven't paid the loan off yet). The installation can't be too involved because then the manufacturers would have to do more work modifying installation instructions and kits to work on more vehicles. The more involved it get the more man hours installation takes the less likely a dealership is to install these. Anyone who's going to try to remove one of these is probably just gonna dive into the job and keep going until it's done. Making it more involved won't stop a huge number of attempted removals. A very small percent of people will even attempt removal in the first place. These systems are subject to most of the same design considerations and trade-offs as aftermarket car alarms and padlocks. The best bang for your buck is the minimum required to keep honest people honest.

devmunchies 9y ago

remove the battery first?

gargravarr 9y ago
Trackers have internal battery backups for exactly this reason.
balls187 9y ago
Remove the battery & the backup battery would mean the device is no longer phoning home. Flag any vehicles that haven't reported in over a 24-hour period.
- devmunchies 9y ago
  would it matter if they flag your vehicle as long as they can no longer track or shut it down?
  - icebraining 9y ago
    Unless you're planning to move to a different house just to avoid a payment, they probably know where to find it.
  - balls187 9y ago
    If the dealer still owns the title, yes. If you own the vehicle, you're right, screw them.

tyingq 9y ago

You could just jump the ignition lockout part without disturbing or touching the unit at all. The dealer would still have your gps location, but couldn't lock you out. The devices are pretty simplistic. No deep integration with the car, they just are wired inline to the ignition switch. http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-remove-a-GPS-disabler-from-a-vehicle/ http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-remove-a-GPS-disabler...

dsfyu404ed 9y ago

>I'd imagine there is some sort of phone-home that indicates the device is still connected, and any tampering of the device could result in heavy penalties--including forfeiting the vehicle. There is patchy cell service in many parts of Canada. People would be very angry and dealers wouldn't do this if they went on vacation for a week and their car didn't work when they came back. It's far more likely that it pings a server when it gets connectivity and takes action based on the response. A dead man's switch type system would be very hard to implement with a sufficiently low false positive rate for this type of thing. For a vehicle you own (like in OP's story) there should be no problem. In most jurisdictions you're somewhat free to do what you want with property you own but is under a lien (e.g. you can put a new porch on your house even if you haven't paid the loan off yet). The installation can't be too involved because then the manufacturers would have to do more work modifying installation instructions and kits to work on more vehicles. The more involved it get the more man hours installation takes the less likely a dealership is to install these. Anyone who's going to try to remove one of these is probably just gonna dive into the job and keep going until it's done. Making it more involved won't stop a huge number of attempted removals. A very small percent of people will even attempt removal in the first place. These systems are subject to most of the same design considerations and trade-offs as aftermarket car alarms and padlocks. The best bang for your buck is the minimum required to keep honest people honest.