How to find a hidden GPS tracker on a car？

Hidden vehicle trackers are tiny devices that rely on global positioning systems (GPS) and cellular networks to monitor the location of cars or trucks in real time. Although not all GPS car trackers are designed to be hidden, most are small enough that they are easily overlooked by untrained and unsuspecting eyes. In fact, many of these devices are smaller than a deck of cards.

Like many other forms of technology, GPS trackers have legitimate uses, but fewer uses. Law enforcement agencies often use these devices with proper authorization, as do private detectives.

For various reasons, car owners may wish to use some type of vehicle tracking system, although most of them do not require hidden equipment.

Common uses of GPS car trackers include:

u Fleet management

u Delivery and taxi dispatch

u Maintain attention to minors

u Help you find a parking place

u Theft recovery

GPS trackers designed specifically for cars can be found in large specialty stores such as Wal-Mart, electronic product specialty stores such as Best Buy, and specialty stores dedicated to private detective services. In fact, they can also be purchased online at any retailer that sells electronic products such as GPS devices and surveillance devices.

All car GPS trackers belong to the basic categories of active and passive. Active trackers use GPS to determine position and transmit that position over a cellular connection, while passive trackers record and store position data.

This means that if someone installs an active GPS tracker in your car, they will be able to view your location in real time using a computer, phone or tablet. Depending on the device, they may also be able to view your past records, driving speed, and other information.

If someone hides a passive GPS tracker in your car, they will not be able to access any real-time information. In fact, the only way to get any information from the passive tracker is to retrieve the information and then view the data recorded at the time of installation.

Some hidden GPS trackers are designed to obtain energy from the vehicle’s electrical system, while others are powered by batteries, which makes them difficult to find. Using the right tools, most can still be detected, but other tools need to rely on professionals.

If you suspect someone is hiding a GPS tracker somewhere on your car, you need some basic tools, such as a flashlight, mechanical mirror, crawler, or mat to help you slide under the vehicle. In the case that simple visual inspection is not enough, special equipment such as BQX-GD01 vehicle GPS positioning detection system or BQX-SC02 signal detector may also be required.

The basic steps involved in locating a hidden GPS tracker on a car are:

1.Perform visual inspection:

Use a flashlight and mirror to check the area under the wheel well and the vehicle.

Most trackers are hidden in easily accessible locations.

Please note that the tracker may be dirty and difficult to see.

2.Conduct internal inspections:

First check the data port.

Most GPS trackers are very small, so don’t ignore any potential hiding places.

Don’t ignore the trunk.

3.Detect the vehicle with an error detector:

Error detectors can be found in many places where trackers can be found.

Some trackers are only sent when the vehicle is driving.

The scanner cannot detect the passive tracking program.

4.Know when to seek professional help:

If you suspect that someone has hidden the tracker in your car, but cannot find it, a professional may be able to help.

Technicians who specialize in privacy security companies, automotive electronics, car audio and car alarms usually have the necessary expertise and equipment.

Check if there is a hidden GPS tracker outside the vehicle:

Although small GPS trackers can be hidden anywhere, these devices are usually hidden in relatively easy-to-access locations. Therefore, the first step in finding a hidden GPS tracker in your car is to visually inspect hidden points that someone can reach quickly without too much difficulty.

The most common place to hide the GPS tracker is in the wheel cabin, which is also a relatively easy to check location. With a flashlight, you need to check the inside of the front and rear wheel wells. You may need to use a retractable mirror to get a good look, and you can also touch it with your hand where you can’t see it.

If you find that the rigid plastic wheel well bushing is loose, try to peel it off and observe or feel inside. Someone may have loosened the lining to connect the magnetized tracker to the frame or body behind it.

Your flashlight and telescopic mirror will also come in handy when checking under the vehicle. If you have crawlers and the ground clearance is large enough, you can even slide under the vehicle for a more thorough inspection. Focus on areas where the tracker can be easily hidden without spending too much time or effort, and remember the fact that the tracker may be covered by road dirt and grime.

The tracker can also be hidden under or inside the bumper. Here, you will also need a flashlight and a mirror for a full inspection. In some cases, you may have to reach up into the bumper to feel it.

Although the tracker can be hidden in the engine compartment, this situation is not common. If someone can enter your car and open the hood, they are more likely to just hide the device in the car.

Check the inside of the vehicle for the hidden GPS tracker

Because hidden GPS trackers can be small, they can be hidden almost anywhere in a car or truck. You need to pay attention to where you can quickly hide such devices, but this does not always solve the problem.

Although the most discreet tracker is battery-powered, the simpler device is designed to plug directly into the vehicle’s data connector. So if you can find the data connector (usually under the dash near the driver’s leg and something has been inserted), this is the direct cause of concern.

If you do not find any obvious problems, you need to use a flashlight and mirror to check under the seat, under and behind the dashboard, inside and behind the glove box, and the center console. The tracker can also be hidden in the pocket of the seat, between the seats, behind the sun visor and elsewhere.

One of the difficulties involved in locating a hidden GPS tracker inside a car is that it may be fused with other components. For example, a small module like a module that runs an electric door lock may be easily confused by something more evil.

If it is determined that someone cannot detect the surveillance equipment, they may even hide the tracker in the seat cushion, behind the door panel, and other similar hiding places.

These devices can also be hidden in the suitcase. If you have spare tires, remove them and check. At that time, you can also peel off the trunk lining, so you can easily hide the small GPS tracking device.

What should I do when I find a hidden GPS tracker?

Most hidden GPS trackers are battery powered and secured by magnets or tape. If you find one of them, all you have to do is release it and finish. The same goes for the tracker plugged into the diagnostic connector or cigarette lighter socket.

In rare cases, the GPS tracker is hard-wired to the power supply and ground, and you may need to seek professional help. Simply cutting the wire may be successful, although the wire thus cut may short-circuit in the future. It is also important to make sure that the component you want to cut is actually a tracker, as professionals will know.