Can a GPS Tracker Cause Vehicle Electronics Issues, Flashing Dash Lights, or Limp Mode? (2024)

FAQs

Can a GPS Tracker Cause Vehicle Electronics Issues, Flashing Dash Lights, or Limp Mode? ›

GPS Vehicle Trackers are unlikely to cause issues with a vehicle's electronics system. GPS Trackers often get the blame by mechanics because simply removing the tracker from the OBD II port may (at least temporarily) resolve the issue. However very often there is an underlying issue with the vehicle itself.

Proper installation of a tracker is absolutely critical. If it is installed incorrectly it could cause electrical problems or indeed, drain the car battery.

Flashing: A slow flashing LED represents a good mobile network signal is present. If the LED is flashing rapidly (about one flash per second) the unit is searching for a GPS signal.

Common Concerns with OBD Trackers

The first major concern is the risk of battery drain, as some OBD devices continue to draw power even when the car is turned off, which can lead to a dead battery if the car is not used for an extended period.

After that, when the stolen vehicle speed inevitably goes lower than the preconfigured threshold speed, the GPS tracker will disable speed pulsing and will activate DOUT permanently. So, the vehicle will be gradually and safely decelerated and stopped by controlling the fuel pump of the car.

The plug-and-play devices work when plugged into the car and not when it disconnects. It is easy to disable it. Also, the devices have an internal antenna and battery to keep sending the signals. When the same is unplugged, it sends an alert to the owner.

Fuses keep blowing

If you keep replacing fuses, there's likely an electrical problem somewhere in the vehicle. The problem could range from faulty wiring to malfunctioning electrical devices. If you keep on having to replace fuses, get your car booked into a garage so that a diagnostics test can be carried out.

We hope you already know that GPS apps are solely dependent on cell phone signals compared to GPS trackers, which operate on actual GPS satellites. This might result in slightly inaccurate data, mainly because cell phone signals go weak quite often.

Is there a chance that the GPS could be wrong and provide inaccurate data? Yes, it is possible. The chances of receiving inaccurate data are not much, but there is still a possibility that it may happen.

Causes for failing an OBD test: The vehicle's on-board diagnostic system reports a failure or problem with an emissions related component or sensor. If there is a problem, the “Check Engine” or “Service Engine Soon” light may be on. If the light is on when you come in for inspection, the vehicle will fail the test.

What device can block a vehicle's onboard diagnostic port OBD from being accessed? ›

The OBD Blocker simply blocks unauthorised communication through the OBD port to your vehicle. This helps prevent key reprogramming or other unauthorised activities.

OBD GPS Trackers are 16-pin plug-and-play devices that merge the power of GPS technology with your vehicle's On-Board Diagnostics system. They are built to collect data from within your vehicle's electrical system and share it with the fleet management software. That's the essence of an OBD GPS tracker.

Plug a GPS blocker into your car's cigarette lighter or power outlet. Wrap your vehicle's GPS device in aluminum foil or a metal box whenever you want to hide your location.

For instance, wrapping things like aluminum foil around the GPS receiver creates a Faraday Shield, which blocks the GPS signals. Similarly, wet trees and plastic or tin containers filled with thick materials can also scramble these signals. These signals will help you protect your GPS data.

Ignition prevention – this system, known as Start Prevent, can be used as a stand-alone option or in conjunction with CarWatch. Once activated, the vehicle won't start even when hot-wired.

The police can monitor the person who installed the tracking device and may be able to get a warrant to search their property.

It is an offense for a person to knowingly install, conceal, or otherwise place or use an electronic tracking device in or on a motor vehicle without the consent of the operator and all occupants of the vehicle for the purpose of monitoring or following the operator, occupant, or occupants of the vehicle.

There are two types of GPS trackers: hardwired and portable tracking devices. Portable devices are wireless and battery powered so they can easily be moved around, but hardwired vehicle tracking devices are powered by the vehicle that they are tracking, and must be wired in.