Finding/Removing GPS tracker

majorh

majorh

New member
When I bought my 4Runner from the dealer, they had already added a GPS tracking system from APEX Protect. It came with a year of tracking for free, but I never used it and I'd like to remove it from my car. I'm dealing with a battery trickle when my car is powered off and I'm hoping this helps to narrow it down.

APEX Protect refuses to answer emails and won't offer any removal instructions over the phone (even when I offered to prove ownership). The dealer hasn't been responsive either.

Finding the device is tricky since it only draws power to send a beacon every once in a while. I've tried hunting around with a DC clamp meter but that hasn't helped much. The device has a source of constant power, can receive GPS signals, but it doesn't seem to be connected to any OBD ports.

Does anyone have suggestions on how to locate the device?
 
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The following areas would be good places for a GPS to have a sky view which it needs.

Dash near windshield.
Sharkfin - not sure if they could fit it there.
Rearview mirror near windshield. -- not much room there.
Inside the cargo window wiper cover.

All of those places have sky view but only two are fairly clear.

I would think it would be under the dash just for the sake of wiring / view / ease of access / not likely to interfere with other objects.

ETA: I just thought, what if they use the Toyota GPS and simply sample it's signal as needed, then make a cell call. If that's the case, the location may have many more options.
 
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you may have battery drain because the internal battery in the unit is dead or dying a slow death. lo jack works like this and has its own battery pack. you might be able to find the circuit its on by disconnecting your battery and testing each fuse for 12 volts...ive never done it but it seems logical to me...
 
I messed around under the dash and found this: http://imgur.com/gallery/3gRs1SV

It looks a little unusual and has a green paper with eyelets punched out wrapped around it. It has "5 AMP" written on the black rectangle. It looks unusual but I'll keep hunting.
 
Icantdrive55 said:
Sounds like Don McGill screwed you too...



If you remove the panel to the left of the steering wheel, below the AC vent, its right there.
Click to expand...

Oh wow. Thanks for that. Got any tips on how to remove the panel? Just clips or are there screws to remove?
 
Success: https://imgur.com/gallery/qUgulz2

Thanks for the removal tips. That was fairly easy to remove. There was some awfully sticky Velcro there that held it to a panel behind the push button for the AC inverter. I'm glad to have this thing off the car.

The battery is also bulging and feels a bit squishy to the touch. That's a bit concerning as well.
 
Destroy it with fire. No not really, those lithium batteries are pretty nasty when they burn. I wouldn't want that junk in my truck either BUT do keep in mind that your truck can be located via the in dash GPS system as well. Your cell phone has plenty of tracking crap also. Woman in my office has her IPhone SIRI go off at random and start answering questions when people are talking in the office. If they want to find you, they will find you.
 
I'd consider telling the dealer. Does the dealer know they are installing fire hazards? Does Toyota corporate?
 
GPS tracker???

That is the same device I have for remote start with the cellphone. Mine has no battery, it is powered from the start module.
 
I had a similar device provided by AAA, no battery and if I let the T4 sit for about 2 weeks it would drain the battery enough to cause a no start. If I had left it at an airport for a long trip it would have caused a problem when I returned. Found out when I got home. This happened on two vehicles for us.
 
How does the panel come off? Screws or push clips?
I'm going to add a Redarc brake controller in a blank switch panel.
 
If you want to pull back the panel, put your hand in next to the steering wheel and pull back on it. The panel underneath the mirror and lighting controls will pop down far enough to make quick adjustments.

If you need to remove it entirely, remove the bolt on the left side of the panel towards the bottom (near door jamb).
 
Lower dash removal

On my 2015 LTD. Remove the drivers door sill, just pull up to release the clips, remove the drivers kick panel by reaching between it and the dead pedal and unscrew the 1/2 inch round retaining nut and pull rearward. On mine the clip that holds the cover in was stuck with door seal, pulled out and released it. Grab the left side stack cover, around and below the left AC control and pull rearwards hard, it just clips in. You might have to use a panel remover tool to get it started. Pry from the bottom where it meets the shifter console. Behind a little door on the right lower dash at the far right side is 10MM bolt, remove it. On the left lower dash where you removed the left kick panel, remove the other 10MM bolt. Now grab the lower dash in the space below the steering wheel, pull towards the rear, the clips will release. Reinstall all this in reverse order. Don't forget to push in the lower dash below the steering wheel so the airbag cover clips in.
It will take you about of about 5 minutes to do this. Way shorter the 2nd time.
 
majorh said:
Success: https://imgur.com/gallery/qUgulz2

Thanks for the removal tips. That was fairly easy to remove. There was some awfully sticky Velcro there that held it to a panel behind the push button for the AC inverter. I'm glad to have this thing off the car.

The battery is also bulging and feels a bit squishy to the touch. That's a bit concerning as well.
Click to expand...

Did you have an aftermarket alarm installed? There looks like more non-OEM stuff in there too. That black box with the "sensitivity" dial on it in your second picture in is aftermarket.
 
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majorh said:
When I bought my 4Runner from the dealer, they had already added a GPS tracking system from APEX Protect. It came with a year of tracking for free, but I never used it and I'd like to remove it from my car. I'm dealing with a battery trickle when my car is powered off and I'm hoping this helps to narrow it down.

APEX Protect refuses to answer emails and won't offer any removal instructions over the phone (even when I offered to prove ownership). The dealer hasn't been responsive either.

Finding the device is tricky since it only draws power to send a beacon every once in a while. I've tried hunting around with a DC clamp meter but that hasn't helped much. The device has a source of constant power, can receive GPS signals, but it doesn't seem to be connected to any OBD ports.

Does anyone have suggestions on how to locate the device?
Click to expand...

Just bought 2019 4Runner SR5 and it also has the Apex Installed. Not planning to use after the one year free service. Base this thread there may be a potential fire hazardous on the bulging lithium battery and battery drain. I will also looking into removing it. I'll contact the dealership next week to see if they can remove it, otherwise looking to do it myself.

Thanks
 
mkc4091 said:
Just bought 2019 4Runner SR5 and it also has the Apex Installed. Not planning to use after the one year free service. Base this thread there may be a potential fire hazardous on the bulging lithium battery and battery drain. I will also looking into removing it. I'll contact the dealership next week to see if they can remove it, otherwise looking to do it myself.

Thanks
Click to expand...
If the dealer won't remove it (and correct any wiring that was hacked apart) and document on the record that they installed and removed it, then you should call corporate and open a case. You may have electrical gremlins in the future.
 
I went back to the dealer one week after I bought the 4Runner and ask them to remove it and they did. It is located under the dash on the lower left of your steering column. That device has plug that plug into your car system. They did not have to modify any wires, they just simply remove the lower portion of the dash and unplug it. Took them about 5 minutes or less to remove it.
 
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