2005 Explorer GSM add on?

[TonyJJ]

We bought a used '05 Explorer for our son last year and he's since purchased a pickup truck. Since the vehicle is paid for and basic insurance isn't that bad, I decided to buy it from him for use as a spare vehicle and help keep the mileage down on my 2018 Explorer lease. I've been having fun fixing little things here and there on this vehicle and when removing the headlight control switch to replace the bulb, there is some sort of GSM modem tucked on the left side of the dash behind the small access pop off door and appears to still be hooked up to something as there is a flashing red LED on it. Also appears that a wire in that access area has been clipped from something and runs up the trim molding on the windshield left side as well. I don't believe that this would be anything factory installed would it? Just curious if anyone familiar with any older add-ons like LoJack may have used a modem like this for location services. I'd like to remove it if it's not needed for anything. Thanks!

 

[TechGuru]

Sounds like a tracker for a finance company...

LoJack uses a RF beacon not the cell networks, I think the LoJack beacon is activated via the pager networks.

 

[TonyJJ]

Thanks, probably safe to try to run without it then in my opinion. If it is some sort of finance deal from long ago, I’m wondering now if there isn’t some way it’s connected that would prevent the vehicle from running without it. Only one way to tell!

 

[TechGuru]

Thanks, probably safe to try to run without it then in my opinion. If it is some sort of finance deal from long ago, I’m wondering now if there isn’t some way it’s connected that would prevent the vehicle from running without it. Only one way to tell!

How many wires does it have? Trackers usually have just a Red and Black (+ and -) power wires and sometimes a remote antenna for the GPS.

The kind that disable starting will usually have a key pad of some sort to enter a emergency override code.

 

[TonyJJ]

I think there were quite a few more wires that I recall with possibly a beeper in the taped up connections. I’ll take a look later in the week and see about snapping a picture. In the start of nasty winter weather here in MI. Thanks for replying!

EDIT: One thing I forgot to add is that to the left of the headlight control is an indicator bulb or LED in the dash that I didn't recall seeing in an owner's manual. Didn't look at the wiring yet to see if that was related to whatever the GSM modem is for. Also, looks to be some adhesive residue on the windshield around the rear view mirror as if something was mounted up there at one time. Quite possibly it's what the cut wire that goes up the side of the windshield may have gone to in the past.

 

[Joe in NY]

Could be a remote start.

Pics?

 

[SnoC]

sounds like an alarm system or a remote start. Removing either incorrectly could disable the starting circuit. Take pictures of how it is hooked up in case you need to put it back to make it run.

 

[TonyJJ]

 

[TonyJJ]

Pictures attached to previous message, unlugged the GSM modem and vehicle still starts and seems to run as normal. Appears there is a relay, inline fuse and beeper taped up in the harness wired to the modem. The LED to the left of the dash controls has wiring that goes elsewhere.

 

[TechGuru]

Would be nice to find out what system you have there already and obtain a remote to it...

 

[96firephoenix]

You could always google the FCC ID number.