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I took my 2016 F-150 to the dealership for its first oil change today, and when I returned home I noticed this little box dangling above my left foot. According to Google, the FCC ID is for a CDMA communicator. I can't figure out where to secure it under the dash. Nothing corresponds to the four tabs along the sides. Owners manual doesn't show it, and I can't find it online anywhere. Any ideas?    
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Apr 3, 2016 02:27
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| # ? Apr 24, 2024 06:51 |
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Probably was just wedged in the dash internals somewhere, is it aftermarket? The wiring doesn't look very Ford OEMy.
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Apr 3, 2016 02:34
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Anything factory wouldn't have an inline fuse like that. Sorry for asking, but did you buy it with bad credit? A lot of buy here pay here lots will install something for tracking and/or to allow them to remotely disable the vehicle. Alternatively, is it a fleet truck? randomidiot fucked around with this message at 02:38 on Apr 3, 2016 |
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Apr 3, 2016 02:34
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Yeah, that's either part of an aftermarket security system (on a 2016?), or some kind of telltale/tracking system.
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Apr 3, 2016 02:39
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An aftermarket alarm wouldn't have anything tied to a CDMA transceiver. FWIW, I dug a little bit up on it - the FCC ID is basically for a 1xRTT CDMA modem chipset, which really doesn't give any insight. I did find a data sheet for the chipset that shows it can be tied into anything from data to eavesdropping. Google suggests that the chipset manufacturer's automotive applications are mostly location tracking. Looks like mostly fleet operation stuff, and also the kind of stuff insurance companies build into the little "plug in this dongle and we'll reduce your rates!" things. I'm more surprised to see something still being built for 1xRTT.
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Apr 3, 2016 03:38
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Oops poo poo I forgot to subscribe to my own thread. It came with the truck, and I got a great deal on it. I'll look up the VIN and see if it comes up as a work truck edition. It's white, so there's a possibility it was badged after being ordered. brb, I'm curious about the VIN.
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Apr 3, 2016 03:52
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The VIN checks out as expected. Must be something ordered by someone before me, the dealership was pretty clear about it being something they wanted to sell. Also I was mistaken, it's a 2015. I'll have to wait until Monday to get answers about what it could be. Actually I'm going to trace the wiring back behind the floor mat to see if I can just remove it.
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Apr 3, 2016 04:07
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Well it looks like it unplugs easily enough. Unplug it and see if it still starts? 
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Apr 3, 2016 04:57
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Maybe just pull the fuse?
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Apr 3, 2016 05:05
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Since you bought new I'd kindly ask the dealership to remove the weird tracking device from your car.
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Apr 3, 2016 06:43
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Is there a reason it could have been installed during its first oil change today? I shoved it behind the molding above the hood latch release and scuffed it, but other than that it doesn't appear to have been fastened to anything ever.
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Apr 3, 2016 06:56
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Unless you bought the truck from one of those "buy here, pay here" lots (which tend to install trackers to make it easier to repo vehicles when the buyer defaults), there's no reason for a dealer to have installed anything like that. Since the truck was in for an oil change, it's likely that the box just got dislodged from wherever it was stuffed when someone was grabbing for the hood release or something. Assuming you're the first owner, my guess is that the truck might have been originally ordered as part of a fleet of some kind (which explains the tracker being installed), but that buyer never took delivery and the dealer just forgot (or simply didn't know) that the box was jammed under the dash somewhere.
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Apr 3, 2016 08:24
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Yeah it's the largest proper Ford dealership in San Antonio, so I'm inclined to believe it's a fleet order type of issue. I didn't start tearing into the trim because  but if nothing else I'll take it in on Monday for some answers.
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Apr 3, 2016 09:09
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Has your wife ever accused you of cheating on her?
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Apr 3, 2016 10:31
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comedy goldmine here we come she did but I don't have one of those anymore.
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Apr 3, 2016 11:18
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I'd just unplug it.
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Apr 3, 2016 11:24
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Find out if someone is actively tracking it. Then do your best to make it the most WTF tracking log ever.
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Apr 3, 2016 12:24
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Those vampire taps definitely scream aftermarket modifications. I had something similarly tough to track in the Buick I bought last fall. Tracking the wiring back lead to more wiring nightmares and finding that it was a remote starter.
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Apr 3, 2016 12:29
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EVERYWHERE 
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As others said, 100% that is not factory. No reason for that to be installed without your knowledge. If you bought it new, I would have the dealership remove it. If you bought it used, I'd just unplug it and if it still starts just forget about the fact that you were being watched 
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Apr 3, 2016 14:08
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Open it up and take some high res pictures of the PCB, OP. I wanna see how the latest fed tracking stuff works.
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Apr 3, 2016 17:27
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InitialDave posted:I'd just unplug it. Are we still talking about the wife?
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Apr 3, 2016 19:12
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Are you a criminal? They know that we know what you know, ditch the truck and disappear edit: do you have one of those fancy new alarms? This looks like one of the new fangled smart start/tracking modules for smartphone integration McSpatula fucked around with this message at 19:24 on Apr 3, 2016 |
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Apr 3, 2016 19:19
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FuzzKill posted:As others said, 100% that is not factory. No reason for that to be installed without your knowledge. If I bought a brand new truck from a dealer and then found something vampire clipped to the wire harness like this I'd be livid. Removal alone wouldn't even begin to "fix" it. I would also demand the harness be replaced as the wires where those taps were installed are now weaker and will most certainly be problems down the road.
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Apr 3, 2016 19:40
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Chiming in to say that it's definitely after market, the "label side down" instruction is found on similar cell network devices (ie remote starters) and it looks like it's tapped into the OBD plug power and ground wires. Looks like a tracking device/immobilizer.
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Apr 3, 2016 19:42
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My Mazda autodimming mirror installation kit uses vampire taps, haha.
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Apr 4, 2016 00:45
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Some dealers install security system/tracking devices on the lot to prevent thefts. In many case, they'll try to upsell you on something like a lo jack that is that. If you don't bite it either gets removed or deactivated depending on what is cheaper/easier for them. The selling dealer should be able to remove it. It isn't as weird as when I discovered air tools under the passenger seat, think someone should have noticed that.
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Apr 4, 2016 06:11
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The truck was probably prepped as part of a fleet order and got that installed with all the rest. The fleet buyer decided they didn't want that truck so the dealer agreed so they could sell the fleet another 100 trucks next year. It probably isn't active or they wonder why the truck is always parked at pull a part. Edit: Try to get a lemons guy to install it in their car. Elephanthead fucked around with this message at 15:09 on Apr 4, 2016 |
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Apr 4, 2016 13:20
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Send it to me, I need a CDMA modem for a project.
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Apr 6, 2016 03:07
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Nothing from the OP for days. I think he strayed too far into gov'mnt territory and the feds got him. 
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Apr 6, 2016 12:57
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meatpimp posted:Nothing from the OP for days. I think he strayed too far into gov'mnt territory and the feds got him. Should be pretty easy to track him down.
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Apr 6, 2016 13:04
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meatpimp posted:Nothing from the OP for days. I think he strayed too far into gov'mnt territory and the feds got him. Driving to work for some reason I was thinking "I wonder what happened to that guy with the tracker attached to his new truck" damnitt OP we need answers
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Apr 6, 2016 14:58
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Hah sorry, I stopped in yesterday to make an appointment but instead of making me wait they removed it.
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Apr 6, 2016 16:45
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frozenpussy posted:Hah sorry, I stopped in yesterday to make an appointment but instead of making me wait they
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Apr 6, 2016 17:31
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The "Flowers By Irene" van outside your house probably had to move to the other side of the street.
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Apr 6, 2016 17:34
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frozenpussy posted:Hah sorry, I stopped in yesterday to make an appointment but instead of making me wait they removed it. So they unplugged it but didn't unfuck the vampire taps all over the place? I would still raise hell.
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Apr 6, 2016 19:04
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Wiring has insulation for a reason, just ask Mercedes (and Volvo?) about the magical way the pixies dance after their biodegradable wiring harnesses, well, biodegrade.
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Apr 6, 2016 19:17
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Have them replace the entire wiring harness.
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Apr 6, 2016 19:29
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you sound pretty nonchalant about this, if i just bought a brand new truck i would be pissed at this
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Apr 6, 2016 20:22
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Thanks, I guess. It's just not a big deal.
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Apr 6, 2016 20:27
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| # ? Apr 24, 2024 06:51 |
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Keep this thread in mind years down the line when you start getting interesting electrical quirks. Or, if you sell it in the next few, the new owner gets to experience PO fuckery on a whole new level.
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Apr 6, 2016 20:40
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