What’s this?

I discovered this hanging below my dashboard, to the left of the steering column, right above the brake. Looks like the glue/sticky stuff came loose because of the heat.

 

Looks like a GPS tracking device. Maybe previous owner installed or dealer installed in case you don't make the payments??

 

So, I wonder what will happen if I remove it.

 

I would give it a shot (doubt anything negative will happen) , and if you can trace the wires back to where there hooked up to the vehicle and disconnect those . Personally I wouldn't want any of that stuff on mine.

 

https://www.vwvortex.com/threads/fo...is-it-and-is-it-safe-to-remove.9483863/page-2

 

https://manuals.plus/phillips-connect/arrow-qg-vehicle-tracking-device-manual#axzz7ZDyGcDbk

 

Can you take some photos of where the wires are connected?

 

Bloody HVAC guys, always beating others to the punch LOL
(I'm an HVAC guy as well)

https://manuals.plus/phillips-connect/arrow-qg-vehicle-tracking-device-manual

 

Oh No! that is a OMEGA LinkR-LT2 Programable GPS Tracker with Fuel Shut off and Auto Disable abilities. Flip it over and you should see a little screw holding a cover on open it (Ignition off) and pull the Sim Card if there is one. It is a Inexpensive $130 Personal GPS tracker to connect with a Smart Phone if no Sim card then it does not have the GPS tracking enabled, have to purchase plan with phone company to use GPS but anyways they are used for Remote start, Lock, unlock with added Relay to shut off Fuel.
All State Insurance was using them but they run on the 4G network so that may no longer function.

 

Well, sim card is installed. I guess that this means, since big brother may be watching, I must be a good boy.

 

...and you removed it and got rid of it, right?

 

I haven’t removed it yet, since I’m not sure what systems it is tied into. I don’t want this to be a dealer/financing installed tracker and have it cause issues if I remove the SIM card.

 

In your situation I would be very interested in to know who installed that GPS tracker and why. I’d be calling the dealer and asking questions.

If it was installed without your knowledge or consent you should absolutely remove or disable it.

 

If yours is wired like the one in this link it looks like it just piggybacks off the OBD-II port and can be easily disconnected. [warning: that's a link to a Jeep forum ]

 

Most dealership Do not use this type since it is a stand alone type, this is the kind that anyone can go purchase from Auto Parts stores and the like for $130 and DIY install to add remote start, Remote Door lock / Unlock, shut off Fuel and with a subscription have GPS abilities.

The Buy here Pay here Dealership get system with a Plan that cover Multiple Units Like Teltrac Plans where they get 10 or more modules and when they get wired in there is also a Antenna installed on the Left front window pillar and the Module is hidden really well.

 

My Bad I did forget to say how easy they are to install if it is Not Hardwired Hopefully that is what the OP has.

 

…

Interesting. So do you think this is merely the previous owner’s remote start/unlock etc. device and not the dealer financer’s tracker?

 

Agreed. I don't believe they have the right to track your movements simply because you bought a vehicle from them or borrowed money. Unless you consented, which should be spelled out in the documentation you received.

 

I knew a guy that was an auto loan manager at a local credit union. He got promoted after requiring LoJack installs in cars for people with poor credit history (his customers). That alone was messed up, but he was loaded when he told us this and then laughed because his credit score would have required a LoJack as well.

 

it would be too Expensive for a dealer to use this type with most plans being about $100 a year each However All State Insurance use to give a 'Discount" if you installed one and setup an Account I do not know if they required access to it or not but what I don't like about this type is they can be hacked and if it is a full OBI type full control of the auto is available and you could be lets say in NY and I have the IME Number plus the Program for them I could be sitting in CA and unlock / Lock your doors Shut your engine down or shut off fuel pump as long as there is good cellular connection.

 

Now LoJack is exactly what Dealers Use that is taking it to an whole different level and they are harder to detect unless you have a good GPS tracker / Detector and have a decent understanding of where they hide them (some are in the engine bay)

 

All new cars will eventually come with this functionality built in and probably not easily removable.

At some point deep into the future, for accidents, cops (or lawyers) will access the vehicle data and instantly know who was at fault. They will know where you came from, how fast you were going, accelerating or decelerating, and even how hard you brake. Pretty deep in the future but that's where its all headed.

 

That is already in many New Cars Now and all that information plus control is there.

 

Yup. I went out this morning and checked it pout. It's this type. I will assume, that this can be readily removed without causing any problems?

 

YES! that is the best scenario you could possibly have Just be gentle Plugging the OEM back in where it belongs <----- No force it should slide in nice and easy until you hear or feel the click of it locking in.

Adding a comment- The only reason I know a bit about theses is I go with a Friend to the Manheim Auto Auctions and we have found a surprising number of them and we got our butt kicked on the first couple we attempted to remove then well learned about em.

 

Tah-Dah!!!