Your Cart

$100 Off THIS WEEK ONLY!

GPS Tracker Installation Near Me

Can You Disable a Car Tracking Device?

How Do You Disable A Car Tracker? – Step By Step Guide How To Defeat A GPS Tracking Device

Before we begin discussing in detail the different ways to disable a car tracking device, if you believe someone put a GPS car tracker on your car, you confined out where it might be hidden by clicking here. Now, let’s get into the topic of car GPS trackers, locating the GPS, and counter-surveillance tools that can help you disable the car tracker! Yes, this article will answer the question, can you disable a car tracking device?

So, can you disable a car tracking device? The answer is yes! But the way you go about disabling or defeating a vehicle tracking system from working totally depends on the type of tracker the device is. For example, if a car dealership installed the device to the 12-volt system for the purposes of repo it could require a professional installer to scan the vehicle to locate a GPS tracking unit’s placement. But we can get into that later. For now, know that there are 3 types of asset tracking devices – OBD2, wired, and wireless.

How To Disable An OBD2 GPS Tracker In Your Vehicle

OBD2 GPS Tracker

GPS locators that are connected to a car via the OBD2 port can simply be removed from the onboard diagnostic port and the tracking system will shut down. Really, it’s that easy! This reason is that OBD2 tracking devices are not designed with internal batteries so the moment they are removed from the power source they can no longer transmit real time GPS tracking positions.

  • Locate The OBD2 Port. The OBD2 port is usually located underneath the dashboard on the driver’s side. You may need to refer to your car’s manual or do a quick online search to find its specific location.
  • Turn Off The Ignition. Before you begin removing the tracker on your car, make sure the car is turned off and the keys are out of the ignition.
  • Remove GPS Tracker Connected To OBD2. The OBD2 tracker will be plugged into the port, so gently pull it out to unplug it. It should come out easily, but you may need to wiggle it a bit to get it loose.
  • Inspect The Obdii Port. Take a moment to inspect the OBD2 port and make sure there are no damaged pins or wires. If you see any damage, you may need to have it repaired before using the port again.

Related Article: Check out this OBD2 port fact sheet!

Disabling A Wireless  GPS Tracker Hidden On Your Car

Secretly Track A Car

When it comes to disabling a hidden GPS tracker, you will need to locate the device and remove it from your automobile. Yes, and that means you are probably gonna get a little dirty! This reason? Many vehicle tracking devices are hidden in very covert placements. Think the truck of a car, undercarriage, glovebox, or under the seat. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to locate and disable a GPS vehicle tracker hidden in (or under) your automobile:

  • First, locate the GPS device on your car with a visual inspection. The vehicle tracker may be hidden in various places, such as under the dashboard or in the bumper of your car.
  • If you can’t locate the GPS vehicle tracker with a visual scan,  consider using a GPS tracker detector to find it. Scanners can detect GPS signals coming from a tracker.
  • Once you’ve found the GPS vehicle tracking system, physically remove it from your car.
  • Once you have found and removed the tracker from your car, the next step is disabling the device.
  • Some GPS trackers have a power button, which you can turn off to disable the device. Super easy.
  • Other GPS vehicle tracking devices will require you to remove the SIM card inside the hidden GPS tracker.  SIM cards are used to transmit the real time location of your vehicle via cellular networks.
  • Finally, contact your local law enforcement if you believe your privacy rights were violated.

If you’re unsure about how to disable the GPS tracker, contact the manufacturer for guidance or hire a professional to assist you. Also, if you are convinced there is a tracking device on your car and it is hidden somewhere you can’t see then consider investing in a bug sweeper. These counter-surveillance tools can pick up any signals emitting from a real time GPS tracker.

How To Disable A GPS Tracking Device Hard-Wired To Your Car

GPS Tracker Installation Near Me

Disabling a GPS tracking device that is connected to the OBD2 port is easy, but what about other types of live GPS tracking systems? The answer is it simply depends on the style of the car tracker. For example, many GPS fleet management solutions are hard-wired by a professional installation team that can properly mount and connects the vehicle tracking system to 12-volt power. Sometimes this is done behind the car stereo, under the steering column, or maybe behind the glovebox. Here is how you would remove a hard-wired GPS tracker that is permanently installed on your vehicle:

  • Locate the GPS tracker in your vehicle. It may be hidden under the dashboard, behind the glove compartment, or in the trunk.
  • Turn off the vehicle’s engine and disconnect the negative battery terminal to prevent electrical shocks.
  • Locate the power wires of the GPS tracker, which are usually red and black wires.
  • Use a wire cutter or wire stripper to cut the red and black wires that connect the GPS tracker to the vehicle’s power source.
  • Strip about half an inch of insulation from the cut ends of the red and black wires to expose the bare copper wire.
  • Twist the ends of the red and black wires together to prevent them from short-circuiting and causing a fire.
  • Wrap each twisted wire with electrical tape to insulate it and prevent it from touching any metal surfaces.
  • Tuck the GPS tracker and the disconnected wires back into their original locations.
  • Reconnect the negative battery terminal.

Another thing to consider is if the car tracking device is wireless or requires an antenna to run outside the vehicle. In these circumstances, you may seek professional assistance to disable the GPS tracking device.

Where Is A GPS Tracking Device Installed On A Car

Where To Find A GPS Tracker

Conclusion

While GPS locator devices can be used for legitimate purposes such as by private investigators, law enforcement, or anyone looking for anti-theft protection, it’s important to be aware of the potential invasion of privacy. This means taking measures to disable the vehicle GPS tracking system if you feel it is necessary. This step-by-step guide provides useful tips on how to locate and disable different types of GPS trackers. However, it’s important to exercise caution and seek professional assistance if you need help.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Disable A Car Tracking Device By Simply Unplugging It?

Yes, you can disable some tracking systems by unplugging them. For example, some devices are attached to the OBD (On-Board Diagnostics) port, making them easy to unplug. However, some tracking devices are hardwired, which may require professional help to remove them.

Is It Legal To Disable A GPS Car Tracker?

It depends on the circumstances. If the car tracking device is installed by the owner of the vehicle, then it’s legal to remove it. However, if the vehicle belongs to a company or someone else, and you’re not authorized to disable the device, then it’s illegal.

Can You Block Signals To A Tracking Device Using Aluminum Foil?

Yes, aluminum foil can block some electromagnetic signals. However, it’s not a reliable way to prevent the GPS signal from reaching the device. In fact, covering the car tracking device with aluminum foil might create a multis-path error to the device but it will not disable it.

Fernando Gonzalez
Latest posts by Fernando Gonzalez (see all)
CALL US TODAY!