How To Remove GPS Tracker From Your Car In 4 Easy Steps!
Determine The Type of GPS Detector First: If it’s a magnetic or plug-and-play detector, just remove it by hand. If it’s hardwired, you’ll need to cut it.
Check Your Car: Make sure to check that your car is running smoothly after you remove the detector.
Remember: It might be illegal to remove a GPS detector if a rental company or law enforcement has placed it there.
Use a GPS Detector: Sweep your car with a detector to find hidden trackers.
Inspect Exterior and Undercarriage: Use a flashlight and mirror to check under the car and in wheel wells.
Search Inside the Car: Check under seats, dashboard, and all compartments for internal trackers.
Hire a Professional: If uncertain, get a professional to safely remove hardwired trackers.
Hello there, we’re going to show you how to remove a GPS tracker from your vehicle in about 10 minutes. It’s a lot easier than you think it is, and it requires little to no experience. You don’t need to be a “car person” to do this.
You just need some pliers/wire cutters, a screwdriver, and maybe some wire connectors depending on what type of tracker we are dealing with here.
Note: Please be aware that if the GPS tracker was placed legally on your vehicle, removing it may be illegal. Don’t say we didn’t warn you!
Removing The Different Types of GPS Trackers
How you remove the GPS tracker from your vehicle depends on which type of tracker you’re dealing with.
They’ve all got a few quirks to them that require a different approach.
Let’s start with the simple stuff first.
Magnetic Trackers
Magnetic GPS trackers are the most popular type of tracker because they’re easy to attach to a vehicle without anyone noticing.
If you suspect there’s one on your vehicle, here’s how to quickly locate and remove it safely. Start by checking the usual spots where these trackers are often hidden—under the car, around the wheel wells, or under the bumper. Use a flashlight and a mirror, so you can get a good look at those hard-to-see areas.
Once you’ve located the tracker, gently pull it off the metal surface. Most of these devices are easy to remove since they’re just held in place by the magnet. After removing it, you can decide whether to disable it, report it, or keep it as evidence if you think it was placed without your consent.
Remember, it’s always a good idea to check with local laws before taking action, especially if you’re unsure about the legality of removing a GPS tracker from your vehicle.
Plug And Play Trackers
Plug-and-play tracking devices, often connected via the OBD 2 port, are some of the easiest GPS trackers to install and remove. These devices simply plug into the vehicle’s onboard diagnostics (OBD 2) port, which is typically located under the dashboard near the steering wheel. Because they’re designed for easy access, they’re also incredibly easy to remove—just unplug them like you would a USB stick.
To safely remove an OBD 2 tracker without causing any damage to your vehicle, follow these simple steps:
Turn Off the Engine: Before doing anything, make sure your car is turned off. This reduces the risk of electrical issues or accidental data loss.
Locate the OBD 2 Port: It’s usually found under the dashboard on the driver’s side, near the steering wheel. The port is easy to spot because it’s often a little rectangular socket.
Gently Unplug the Device: Once you’ve found the tracker, carefully pull it straight out of the port. Avoid yanking or twisting it, as this could damage the port or the device.
Inspect the Port: After removal, check the OBD 2 port for any signs of damage or debris. If everything looks good, you’re all set.
Hardwired Trackers
Taking out a hardwired GPS tracker is a bit of a tough job compared to the plug-and-play ones. These trackers are wired right into your car’s electrical system, so you’ve got to be careful to avoid messing anything up. If you cut them the wrong way, you could severely damage your car.
Here’s how you can do it step by step:
Find the Tracker: First off, you need to figure out where the tracker’s hiding. It’s usually tucked away under the dashboard, near the fuse box, or behind the glove compartment. You might have to pop off some panels or use a flashlight to really see what’s going on.
Disconnect the Battery: Before you start cutting wires, make sure to disconnect the negative terminal on your car’s battery. This keeps you from getting shocked or causing a short circuit while you’re working.
Spot the Right Wires: Carefully trace the wires connected to the tracker. They’re usually spliced into the power supply, ground, and sometimes the ignition wire. Take note of which wires go where so you don’t lose track.
Cut or Unhook the Wires: Use some wire cutters to snip or disconnect the tracker’s wires from your car’s system. Leave a bit of extra wire on the car’s side in case you need to reconnect it later.
Cover the Exposed Wires: After you’ve got the tracker out, make sure to cover the ends of the wires with electrical tape or wire caps so they don’t short out.
Reconnect the Battery: Once you’re all done, reconnect the negative terminal on your battery.
Now that the tracker’s out, you want to make sure your car’s still running smoothly:
Test the Electrical Stuff: Turn on the car and check that everything electrical, like the lights and radio, is still working fine.
Watch for Warning Lights: Keep an eye on the dashboard for any warning lights that could signal a problem.
Go for a Spin: Take the car for a quick drive to make sure everything feels normal, especially with the ignition and electrical systems.
If everything’s good, you’ve pulled off the removal without any issues. But if something seems off, it’s probably worth getting a mechanic to take a look and make sure everything’s in order.
How to Find a GPS Tracker on Your Car
Invest In A GPS Tracker Detector
GPS tracker detectors are devices that can detect electromagnetic waves, like the radio signals from a GPS tracker in your car. All you do is wave one around your vehicle, and it’ll detect a tracker for you.
Here’s how it works: You just move the GPS detector around your car slowly. If it buzzes or vibrates, bingo—you’ve likely found a GPS tracking device hidden somewhere in your car.
These detectors are especially useful for tracking down devices that are tucked away in spots you might not easily see. For example, one might be hidden INSIDE your dashboard. Who would ever think to look there?
Best GPS Tracker Detector
Scan The Outside Of The Car With A Mirror And A Flashlight
A good trick to find a hidden GPS tracker is to use a flashlight to search around the wheel wells and other sneaky spots. The light will help you spot anything that shouldn’t be there. Keep your eye out for anything suspicious and make sure to get on your hands and knees and search under the car, too.
You can also use a telescopic mirror to get a better look under the wheel wells or the car’s underside, where things are harder to see. Start by inspecting the wheel wells and the car’s underside, then move on to the engine area to make sure there’s nothing hidden there.
By the way, this is why most of us use professional help. Nobody wants to be on all fours looking under the car all day.
Search Inside The Automobile
If you didn’t find the GPS tracking device outside the car, it’s time to take a deep look inside.
Start by checking the data connector plug (OBD2) under the dashboard near the driver’s leg area—that’s a common spot for a GPS tracker. After that, use a mirror and flashlight to search under the seats, the dash, inside the glove box, center console, and any other storage compartments.
Don’t forget to check the trunk for hidden devices. If you’re unsure where to find the OBD2 port in your car, you can watch this helpful video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEmvv8M8bGI
Hire A Professional To Scan Your Car
If you don’t feel like searching for that hidden tracking device all day, just call someone to come out and take a look. Nobody is going to judge you.
GPS pros will know what to look for, plus they know all the usual hiding spots that you might not think of.
Another thing to keep in mind here is that they’ll know how to remove a hardwired GPS tracker. That’s a lot more important than you might think it is. If you cut the wires the wrong way, you could do severe damage to your car’s electrical system. It’s probably not worth the risk.
We suggest using RepairPal, AAA, or Yelp to find reviews on the best auto mechanic near you
Once you get the hang of how car GPS systems work, finding a GPS tracker in your vehicle gets a lot easier.
Think of a GPS car tracker as a little device that broadcasts your car’s location in real-time. It might send out this info while your car is on the move or at set intervals.
Some GPS trackers are sneaky and can be hidden inside your car.
How? They’re wired directly into your car’s power supply with red and black wires, making them tricky to spot. But the most common ones are small, all-in-one devices with their own lithium-ion batteries. These can be easily hidden out of sight.
Here’s a cool feature: some GPS trackers only start transmitting when your car moves, which helps save battery life and gives you accurate real-time location updates. All this data is stored right in the tracker, and you can access it either by connecting it to a computer or remotely through a smartphone.
So, why would someone use a GPS tracker on your car? There are a bunch of reasons, both legit and not. People often think private investigators use them for spying, or they’re used to recover stolen vehicles. But really, anyone can get their hands on a GPS tracker. A suspicious spouse might use one to keep tabs on their partner, or a parent might want to monitor their teen’s driving.
And it’s not just individuals—businesses use these trackers too. Companies use real-time GPS trackers to keep an eye on their employees’ time on the road. Cargo companies track their fleets, and taxi services use them to ensure customer safety. So, GPS trackers are way more common than you might think!
Conclusion
Finding and removing a GPS tracker from your car is relatively simple. Just search the most common locations for hiding a GPS tracker, and when you find it, remove it according to the instructions above.
Just remember to be very careful, especially with hardwired trackers. We highly recommend that you contact a professional for help.
And one more thing…if you can’t find the GPS tracker on your car, try a GPS detector device. It’ll help you find any hidden device immediately and provide some peace of mind.
How To Remove GPS Tracker From Car – Frequently Asked Questions
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Are GPS Trackers Easy To Remove From Cars?
Yes, they often are. As long as you know where to look and what you’re looking for, removing a GPS tracker from your car can be quite straightforward. You’re essentially searching for hidden tracker devices, which could be located anywhere from the metallic surfaces under your car to the OBD2 port, a common spot for plug-and-play trackers. Magnetic trackers may be stuck to the underside, while hardwired GPS trackers may require you to remove wires from the device. Remember, safety first – if you’re unsure, consult a professional!
Can Someone Secretly Track My Location Using A GPS Tracker In My Car?
Unfortunately, yes. A vehicle GPS tracker, hidden inside your car, can provide real-time GPS tracking of your location. This situation might sound like a plot from a private investigator series, but it’s a genuine concern for many. If you suspect you’re being tracked without your consent—perhaps by a cheating spouse, for example—look for signs of GPS signals or unfamiliar wires and devices.
What Types Of GPS Trackers Can Be Installed In Vehicles?
There are many types of GPS trackers that can be installed in vehicles. Some common ones include portable GPS trackers, plug-in GPS trackers that plug directly into the OBD2 port, and hardwired GPS trackers that are connected directly to the car’s electrical system. Each type of tracker may be hidden in a different location, so you’ll need to check thoroughly to find and remove the GPS tracker.
