How To Install Car Tracker Equipment

Installing a GPS car tracker may seem daunting, but it’s actually a pretty straightforward process that can be broken down into three main steps.

First, you’ll access the ignition and power wires under your dashboard. Next, you’ll have to hardwire your device to the vehicle’s electrical system. Finally, you’ll reassemble your dashboard. Et voilà! You can now enjoy the many benefits of vehicle tracking.

However, if you don’t have a hardwired tracker – and instead opted for a wireless or plug-and-play device – then this process will be different. Plus, there’s much more to understand before you get started. Don’t worry, though! From the equipment you’ll need to the correct technique for safe hardwiring, we’ll take you through everything you need to know about DIY vehicle tracker installation in this guide.

If price is your biggest consideration when it comes to selecting a vehicle tracking supplier, check out these featured deals below:

Type of Car Tracker: Hardwired, Plug-and-Play or Wireless

Before you install a car tracker, you need to understand the hardware you are working with. A glance at the best GPS trackers for cars reveals three main types of vehicle tracking devices: hardwired, plug-and-play, and completely wireless options.

A wireless GPS tracker takes no special skills to install; you can position it anywhere in the vehicle and move it at your leisure. Placing one near the base of the windscreen allows clear access to the incoming GPS signal as well as the outgoing Wi-Fi signal it uses to triangulate your car’s location. Or if it is a magnetic GPS tracker, as many wireless trackers are, you’ll need to place it on a magnetic surface such as the front bumper.

Similarly, a plug-and-play GPS tracker doesn’t take much effort to get set up. An increasingly popular choice by fleet management system providers that requires less fiddling: you’ll generally plug them into a vehicle OBD-II port under the dashboard to use as an energy and data transfer (for more than just GPS location) supply.

Both these options have your tracker on permanent view. If discretion is a priority, a hardwired GPS tracker is the way to go. ‘Hardwiring’ sounds scary, but all it really means is connecting your GPS tracker to your car’s power supply via the ignition and power supply lines.

It’s actually the most reliable option of the three, and one we thoroughly recommend, though it is also a little more complicated. The following method explains the easiest way to install hardwired vehicle tracking devices:

How to Install a GPS Tracker on a Car in Three Steps

When searching ‘how to install vehicle tracking devices’, you’ll face many search results offering different methods. Before we go into the details of each option you have, this is exactly how to install a hardwired GPS tracker in plain terms:

1. Connect the tracker’s red wire to the car’s constant power wire
2. Connect the tracker’s white wire to the car’s ignition wire
3. Fix the GPS tracker beneath the dash with double-sided tape – near the ignition coil is a good spot

Of course, those are the instructions in their most basic form. And as noted above, there are options besides from hardwiring a tracker, namely plug-and-play options and completely wireless choices. For detailed, step-by-step directions on each, read on…

How to Install a Hardwired Car Tracker

You’ve read the above summary but now it’s time for greater details on how to hardwire a car tracker.

Tools Needed to Install Hardwired Car Tracker Devices

First of all, assuming you aren’t calling in a technician to do the job, you will need to assemble some tools for the job:

• 1 x Phillips head screwdriver
• 1 x voltage meter
• 1 x pair of wire cutters
• 1 x wire pick
• 1 x ring terminal
• 1 x roll of electrical tape
• 1 x piece of double-sided tape

Now onto the exact details on how you install a hardwired car tracker. Here are the three steps:

1. Access the Ignition and Power Wires Under the Dashboard

Start by unscrewing the plastic lower dashboard cover with the Phillips head. If there are wires plugged into the casing itself, disconnect these and place the casing and screws to one side.

Inside the lower dash, you’ll see several wires. The two you are looking for are the ignition wire and the constant power wire. They both connect to the car ignition switch. To find them, simply follow the wires down from the ignition switch.

Use the voltage meter to verify that you have identified them correctly – you should receive a reading of between 11 and 14 volts when the ignition is turned on, and a reading of 0 when it is off.

Tip: Some cars include special wiring diagrams to help you find the correct wires. Consult your car’s documentation for further guidance.

2. Hardwiring Your Device

Use the wire cutters to remove a small section of insulation from the constant power wire.

Tip: Be careful to use the right gauge wire cutters to prevent the power wire from being cut – or say goodbye to your dashboard stereo!

Use the pick tool to create a small gap between the exposed copper wires. Take the exposed end of the red wire on your GPS tracking device and thread it through the newly-created gap in the constant power wire. Wrap any loose copper wire ends together and cover the connection with a piece of electrical tape.

Repeat Step 2 for the white wire on the GPS tracking device, using the ‘poke and wrap’ method to connect it to the ignition wire.

Tip: Wrap the exposed wires together thoroughly for an optimal connection.

Finally, add a ring terminal to the exposed end of the black wire on the GPS tracker. Place the ring terminal end on a metal surface (such as the steering column), ‘grounding’ the device. Secure it there with electrical tape.

3. Reassemble the Dashboard

Affix the GPS tracker underneath the dashboard with double-sided tape.

Tip: GPS signals do not travel through metal, so don’t place it on the steering column! Near or around the ignition coil is usually a sensible location.

Be sure to fix the device securely in place – it won’t be easy for you to access should it comes loose mid-journey!

Tip: For the best results, make sure the GPS tracking module is facing upwards when you attach it.

Tidy up any loose wires with electrical tape, tuck them out of the way, and reattach the plastic dash cover. You’re all done!

How To Install a Plug-and-Play (OBD-II) Car Tracker

By comparison, Plug-and-Play GPS trackers and other devices that use the OBD-II port, are much easier to install in your car. Here’s the process in simple terms.

1. Locate the vehicle’s diagnostic (OBD-II) port

Usually, you’ll find the OBD-II port under the dashboard or beneath the steering wheel column. If not located beneath the steering column, look for the port in the areas indicated in the image.

2. Plug in the Tracker

Take the OBD-II tracker out of its packaging. Align the plug with the OBD-II port. Firmly insert the tracker into the port until it is securely connected.

3. Activate the Tracker

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to activate the tracker. This usually involves downloading a mobile app or visiting a website.

For instance, Verizon’s Vehicle Data Device requires installing the Spotlight Mobile App and following the on-screen instructions. That includes creating an account (if you don’t have one), logging in, scanning the tracking device’s barcode, and confirming the vehicle on the Verizon Connect software system you attach it to. 

Then simply follow the prompts to complete the rest of the setup and link the tracker to your account.

Step 4: Test the Tracker

Finally, starting your car should power up the OBD-II tracker. Opening the provider app or website should allow you to check if the tracker is transmitting data correctly.

How To Install a Wireless Car Tracker

Installing a wireless car tracker requires the least intensive work of the three options. However, how this is done can vary depending on the type of wireless tracker you have purchased. Namely, there tend to be regular wireless trackers and magnetic wireless trackers.

Here are the steps for both, though do consult the manufacturer of your wireless tracker for more details.

1. Charge the Tracker

Fully charge the wireless car tracker using the provided charger or cable to make sure it is ready to operate.

2. Choose a Location

Next, you’ll want to select a hidden spot in your car where the tracker will not be easily discovered. Common places include under seats, inside the glove compartment, or in the trunk. Though, you will want to make sure the location allows the tracker to receive a clear GPS signal.

For magnetic trackers, many opt to install via the front of the bumper since the magnetic tracker won’t be seen at all and will receive signals easily. The industrial strength of the magnetic should mean it won’t come loose and fall off while the car is being driven, too.

3. Place the Tracker

Secure the tracker in the chosen spot using any provided adhesive, straps, or via its magnetic mounts. Make sure it is firmly in place to prevent movement while driving.

4. Activate the Tracker

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to activate the tracker. This usually involves creating an account on a mobile app or website and linking the device to your account.

Once activated, check the tracker’s functionality by monitoring its real-time location on the app or website. Make any necessary adjustments to the placement to ensure optimal signal strength and accuracy.

Car Tracker Types Compared

Hardwired Car Trackers: Best for Reliability

As noted above, hardwired car trackers are connected directly to the vehicle’s ignition and constant power wires,

This typically requires professional installation or advanced DIY skills though this greater effort is rewarded by superior reliability compared to plug-and-play or wireless options. Their constant power supply means you’ll have uninterrupted tracking coverage (plus any other metrics your device tracks, such as engine diagnostics) unlike wireless options that will require charging.

This permanent installation also makes them more difficult to tamper with once installed – although, on the other hand, this also makes it trickier to transfer the device to another vehicle should the original vehicle need replacing.

Plug-and-Play Car Trackers: Best for Convenience

Making installation a little more convenient are increasingly popular plug-and-play car trackers.

As the name implies, they simply plug into the vehicle’s OBD-II port – usually located under the dashboard – and can be installed and removed without tools or technical knowledge. This makes them highly portable, allowing easy transfer between vehicles.

This visibility can make them an easy target for thieves who know what they are looking for, and they can potentially drain the vehicle’s battery if left plugged in for long periods without use.

What is OBD?

OBD stands for Onboard Diagnostics. OBD ports are connected to devices that retrieve data from a vehicle’s onboard computer. All vehicles sold in the US after 1996 will have an OBD-II (also spelled as ‘OBD2’) port, so it’s highly likely that your fleet is OBD-ready.

What data is available from OBD?

Connection via the OBD port allows the tracking and transfer of a variety of vehicle information, aside from just GPS location. Ultimately, it depends on the type of hardware you have as to what data is accessed, but the following data points – either in real-time or as a freeze-frame (at a specific point in time) – are often in the mix:

• Engine speed (RPM) and vehicle speed (MPH)
• Engine coolant, oil, and fuel temperatures/pressures/levels
• Total mileage
• Number of ignition cycles
• Throttle position
• Battery voltage
• Status of “Check Engine” light
• Other fault codes

Wireless Car Tracking: Best for Flexibility

The main benefit of Wireless trackers is that they are incredibly easy to install. There are no wires to connect or ports to plug into, making the process straightforward and quick. All you need to do is place the device in a suitable location within the vehicle, as described above.

As such, they are flexible choices to switch from one vehicle to another that may appeal to businesses that change fleet vehicles regularly.

They can be more readily concealed than plug-and-play options, too. That’s because since they are wireless, you can hide the tracker in any place within the vehicle, reducing the risk of tampering or any security issues.

A potential downside is that they are completely battery powered. That means you could lose connection to your vehicle data when it runs out of charge, although on the other hand, they aren’t reliant on your vehicle’s battery either. Plus, generally the battery will last around six months, which is a solid amount of time between charges.

Still Unsure How to Install Car Tracker Equipment?

As you can probably tell, a little prior electrical knowledge goes a long way. Consult your car manufacturer’s instructions very carefully for installation advice specific to your model.

If you’re not confident doing it yourself, consider contacting a professional electrician to carry out the installation for you.

Next Steps

Installing a hardwired car tracker involves three simple steps: accessing the ignition and power wires under the dashboard, hardwiring your device, and reassembling your dashboard.

It can be a bit tricky, however. Easier installation can be found with plug-and-play GPS trackers via your car’s OBD-II port, or completely wireless options that car sit anywhere in (or on if magnetic) your vehicle.

Whatever GPS tracker you’ve chosen, we hope our detailed step-by-step guide for each type of GPS tracker will help you get started on your vehicle tracking journey.

Having trouble picking the right tracker? Check out our guide to the best GPS trackers for cars, or use our free quote comparison tool to find the best fleet management equipment and system for your business. Simply tell us what you need and we’ll connect you directly with top US providers that match your unique requirements. They’ll then provide you with free, no-obligation quotes that have been tailored to your business. It’s a quick and easy way to accurately compare the best options for you.