Black Box, what is it?

[Quatermain]

Does anyone know what this black box is? It sits next to the fuse box and has periodic amber and green light blinking almost all of the time. It is wired into the battery as shown with a red wire which is spliced into the black wire bundle but has a lot of extra wire zip tied as shown. It is firmly mounted on the body but it is not obvious how. It looks like an add on and not a factory install.

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[BudgetBronco]

Did you buy it used? Looks like one of those GPS tracking devices that a lot of used car dealers install to assist with repo's if needed. Definitely not factory.

 

[Dan-O]

If you bought used it may be a left over aftermarket tracker/gps. Blinking doesn’t necessarily mean it’s actually tracking but just power to it. There is most likely a label on one of the sides or on the bottom.

 

[Scooter M'Gee]

With just the one wire coming off the box I'd just pull the power wire off the battery and see if anything goes awry. If nothing happens, yank it out and throw it away.

 

[Quatermain]

If you bought used it may be a left over aftermarket tracker/gps. Blinking doesn’t necessarily mean it’s actually tracking but just power to it. There is most likely a label on one of the sides or on the bottom.

I did buy it used, thanks.

 

[Quatermain]

Did you buy it used? Looks like one of those GPS tracking devices that a lot of used car dealers install to assist with repo's if needed. Definitely not factory.

Very probable. I bought it used and it was a special order vehicle according to the original window sticker. I bought it from the original dealer.

 

[BudgetBronco]

It looks like it is probably just held there with some double sided tape. I would peel it off and look for some model number or similar type info on the underside, google that and confirm it is a GPS unit. Once confirmed, it can just be removed entirely.

 

[Bronco4Joe]

Did you buy it used? Looks like one of those GPS tracking devices that a lot of used car dealers install to assist with repo's if needed. Definitely not factory.

I bought new and mine had one in the dash under the steering wheel.

 

[Quatermain]

It looks like it is probably just held there with some double sided tape. I would peel it off and look for some model number or similar type info on the underside, google that and confirm it is a GPS unit. Once confirmed, it can just be removed entirely.

My first thought was it was held on with double stick, and it may well be. But if it is, it is the strongest double stick I have ever encountered. I'll disconnect for a while and see if there is anything not working. Then I'll attempt to remove it intact. Lastly I'll get back on this thread and report.

 

[Brian_B]

The 3M stuff is pretty good tape. May need a bit of heat to get it to unstick, or try it after you've been driving for a while and under the hood is nice and hot.

I don't think there is a bolt hole there - but could peak under the fender liner to see. That box doesn't look like it would have a mounting stud anyway.

 

[CalvinT]

My first thought was it was held on with double stick, and it may well be. But if it is, it is the strongest double stick I have ever encountered. I'll disconnect for a while and see if there is anything not working. Then I'll attempt to remove it intact. Lastly I'll get back on this thread and report.

I use thin braided fishing line to cut double sided tape.

 

[LVS]

I heard dental floss may also work.

 

[Pbethel]

The 3M stuff is pretty good tape. May need a bit of heat to get it to unstick, or try it after you've been driving for a while and under the hood is nice and hot.

I don't think there is a bolt hole there - but could peak under the fender liner to see. That box doesn't look like it would have a mounting stud anyway.

Saw throughh it with dental floss.

 

[BroncoChallenger]

I use thin braided fishing line to cut double sided tape.

I have always used a higher-test weight fishing line to cut through it. A bit of heat from a heat gun does make it go a little easier but isn't necessary.

 

[G1D1UP]

@Quatermain - man you walked into this one head first. I couldn't resist! LOL

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