Plad Tech Tracking Device Removal

[TTomp]

So I recently purchased a 2024 Ram 1500 and the dealership was not close to my house. But the truck was a good deal for the drive. They got a bit pissy because I didn't want to pick up their warrant and the Plad Tech Tracking service. I told them to remove the device. I forgot to check before I left as it was a long and irritating day due to dealing with the Money Man at the dealership. I found the device still installed in my truck and have asked two local dealerships to remove the device but one said no and the other said I would have to leave my truck with them for 5 days and they were not sure what the cost would be to remove it. I would remove it myself but am just wanting to be cautious they did not tie this thing into electrical or other that I might screw up the truck. Not a young guy so getting in and under there to deal with it is an act itself. I tried my local shop but they didn't want any part of it either for same reason of not wanting to be responsible if something screws up. I want this thing out of my truck has anyone on here removed them before and if so was it anything more than cutting the ziptie and unplugging the unit.

Thanks for any feedback

 

[GTyankee]

It is a Tracking device, i believe

RAM IS SPYING ON YOU | How to Disable Telematics

We're Joel & Emma, living full time in our Escape E23 travel trailer with our two pups, Samantha & Colt. Subscribe and hit the notification bell to follow al...

www.youtube.com

How To Find And Remove a GPS Tracker From Your Car | Family1st

Find and remove a GPS tracker from your car by checking for signs, inspecting key areas, using tools, and safely disconnecting it while protecting your privacy.

family1st.io

Use a GPS Detector​

If you can’t find a tracker visually, a GPS detector can help. These devices pick up signals from active trackers. Use these types:

Is It Legal to Track Cars?​

Tracking a car can be legal or illegal depending on the situation, purpose, and whether you have the owner’s consent. It’s allowed in many cases, but tracking someone’s car without permission can break privacy laws.

What Makes Car Tracking Legal?​

Car tracking is legal in these situations:

• If You Own the Car: You can track your vehicle for security, fleet management, or monitoring purposes.
• Employer Tracking: Employers can track company-owned cars, but employees must be informed.
• Parental Use: Parents or guardians can track their vehicle, mainly if their children use it.
• Law Enforcement: Police can track cars if they have a legal warrant or authorization

 

[Fast69Mopar]

So I recently purchased a 2024 Ram 1500 and the dealership was not close to my house. But the truck was a good deal for the drive. They got a bit pissy because I didn't want to pick up their warrant and the Plad Tech Tracking service. I told them to remove the device. I forgot to check before I left as it was a long and irritating day due to dealing with the Money Man at the dealership. I found the device still installed in my truck and have asked two local dealerships to remove the device but one said no and the other said I would have to leave my truck with them for 5 days and they were not sure what the cost would be to remove it. I would remove it myself but am just wanting to be cautious they did not tie this thing into electrical or other that I might screw up the truck. Not a young guy so getting in and under there to deal with it is an act itself. I tried my local shop but they didn't want any part of it either for same reason of not wanting to be responsible if something screws up. I want this thing out of my truck has anyone on here removed them before and if so was it anything more than cutting the ziptie and unplugging the unit.

Thanks for any feedback

All of the tracking devices I have removed from Ram Trucks over the years have been piggyback systems receiving only power and ground from the vehicles electrical system. Many of them are plug-n-play as well but I'm not sure about the Plad Tech. Even if it is wired in to the truck it's removal will not alter the way the truck operates. I like to trace the wiring before I begin removal so that way I know I am removing anything and everything for the device.

 

[Curmudgeon]

I just tried a quick and dirty Google search, using "plad tech removal" and got
this result. It looks like a lot of reading is available, but it also appears that
removing it should be no problem and relatively simple.

Note: I just skimmed the 1st page, I suggest you look a little deeper, but there seems to be a lot of good info here...

https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=plad+tech+removal

Let us know how it goes.

 

[huntergreen]

If the vehicle is financed, the loan uses a tracker for repo purposes.

 

[Jimmy07]

If the vehicle is financed, the loan uses a tracker for repo purposes.

This is mostly a repeated myth. It might be true at some of the run down corner used car lots that have the big signs that say “bad credit, no credit, no problem”. In those instances, a bank is not providing the loan, but the used car dealer themselves are, at a 50% rate on a $2000 beater car. Those are the situations a tracker might be used for repo purposes, and it’ll be known in the paperwork.

Otherwise, the most common use is for a “forced upsell” of stolen vehicle recovery tracking service add-on. A lot of dealerships are going that way now- they’ll have a company install them on their entire inventory for inventory management at first, then charge the buyer for it as an anti theft/theft recovery add-on feature.
But, they’re never used for loan/repo purposes. If it was, then it’s the lending institution that would set up the install and tracking services fee separately, not the selling dealership.

 

[Docwagon1776]

This is mostly a repeated myth. It might be true at some of the run down corner used car lots that have the big signs that say “bad credit, no credit, no problem”. In those instances, a bank is not providing the loan, but the used car dealer themselves are, at a 50% rate on a $2000 beater car. Those are the situations a tracker might be used for repo purposes, and it’ll be known in the paperwork.

Point of clarity: It *should* be known in the paperwork. I can tell from my work in law enforcement that it's sometimes either not or it's buried in boilerplate with the end result of either being the purchaser not realizing it. It's absolutely a thing at BHPH lots, but as you say it's restricted to them from what I've seen.

Large agree, however.

 

[TTomp]

If the vehicle is financed, the loan uses a tracker for repo purposes.

Nope USAA does not require me to have the tracking device in the truck I asked before I purchased

 

[GTyankee]

I watched a YouTube video ...
This guy bought a HD Ram & i believe that he had a Battery Draw Down.

He investigated & found what he believes is a GPS Tracker in his new vehicle

He removed the Glove Compartment Doors & thought he saw something, then he removed the 12" Infotainment System.

He went back the Glove Compartment & using a Flashlight, he saw that no wiring could be seen easily, the Connections were against the Firewall.
He took the fasteners off " Box " , then removed the wiring connectors, then he replaced the Box, only rotated the Box 180 degrees & fastened it in place.
That way, he could reconnect the connections again, if they were needed for operation of the RAM.

He mentioned that he had a Trouble Light, but he would worry about it later

 

[orange]

Here's my story. I found it while trying to find out why my running boards were not working.

When I pressed the dealer on it telling them they will either tell me what it was or they were going to hear from my lawyer, they basically got on their knees and promised it was part of Stelantis recovery system that comes with the truck for free. And that could not be further from the truth.

I scoured all the paperwork I signed when I bought the truck several times and there is absolutely no mention of any tracking device having been added to the truck at all.

New 2023 key reprogramming running board question

Hello guys, New here, but I have owned a used 2011 1500 for 8 years and just purchased a brand new 2023 1500 Laramie (1 of 2 left in the lot loaded up the *****) out of state. My sister picked it up at the dealer. It'll be transported to me in the next few days. When the dealer delivered the...

www.ramforum.com

Pulled it out and the truck has worked just fine since.

Disabling the modems in the dash are still in my to do list. Just been very busy and I barely drive the truck, so I'm not in a hurry to do it.

 

[Papawolf101]

If the vehicle is financed, the loan uses a tracker for repo purposes.

100% can be true, not disagreeing.
HOWEVER, by LAW they have to notify you that they have the tracker there and after paid in full, they have to remove it upon your request!
It will be in the finance contract and they have deep pockets to get that drafted up. If there is a clause in the contract that says they have the tracker there and it is your responsibility to remove it, when you sign it is there no matter how you feel about it.
When I bought my truck, I brought my own financing to the room, not theirs!!! THIS and a few other reasons, biggest being when they asked how I got such a good interest rate and I just smiled!!!

 

[Rlaf75]

Nope USAA does not require me to have the tracking device in the truck I asked before I purchased

That may be true but most people use the finance companies that the dealers recommend. I don't know what dealer or where it's located but if it's in an area that has a high vehicle theft rate the dealers may install the tracking system for that reason. Some dealers do it for tracking nonpayers so they can retrieve the vehicle. I've been out of the game for awhile now but I used to reposes cars.

 

[Dusty]

I watched a YouTube video ...
This guy bought a HD Ram & i believe that he had a Battery Draw Down.

He investigated & found what he believes is a GPS Tracker in his new vehicle

He removed the Glove Compartment Doors & thought he saw something, then he removed the 12" Infotainment System.

He went back the Glove Compartment & using a Flashlight, he saw that no wiring could be seen easily, the Connections were against the Firewall.
He took the fasteners off " Box " , then removed the wiring connectors, then he replaced the Box, only rotated the Box 180 degrees & fastened it in place.
That way, he could reconnect the connections again, if they were needed for operation of the RAM.

He mentioned that he had a Trouble Light, but he would worry about it later

The ones I've seen were very easy to access and right under the instrument panel under the steering wheel. What I see quoted here seems like an awful lot of trouble just to install a tracker. The fact that he then got a "trouble light" makes me suspicious he disconnect something more essential.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33-gallon fuel tank, 18” wheels. Build Date: 3 June 2018. Now at 129160 miles.

 

[GTyankee]

A guy that rented a room from the same guy that i rented from, would get a call from a bank or Repo Agency.
They would call him & tell him to pick up a vehicle at such & such location. Maybe they used Spotters.
Many of his Repos happened on the Colorado River.
I would have to guess that they were either tracking a Vehicles
AIR Card or something else, back around 1995

Smart Phones from Apple became popular in 2007