[bateman1234]

Hi all,

It recently occurred to me that it might actually be a smart idea to use an old mobile phone as a tracking device in case your car gets stolen.

The phone, as i see it, would be set to mute and buried deep under the upholstery in the trunk (e.g. somewhere in the CD changer area). When your car happens to be stolen, it will serve as a free GPS/mobile tracking device. This is a great tracking aid for the police.

The only problem is it has to be charged from time to time.

I was wondering if it is possible to hard-wire a regular 12V car phone charger into the power wires somewhere in the trunk circuit (e.g. CD changer wires?) to make the phone recharge whenever you're driving the car.

Does anybody have an idea how to do this? I'm really sorry but i'm not a real DIYer so I'm really looking for help/suggestions.

Thanks.

[BOBKUR]

Originally Posted by bateman1234

Hi all,

It recently occurred to me that it might actually be a smart idea to use an old mobile phone as a tracking device in case your car gets stolen.

The phone, as i see it, would be set to mute and buried deep under the upholstery in the trunk (e.g. somewhere in the CD changer area). When your car happens to be stolen, it will serve as a free GPS/mobile tracking device. This is a great tracking aid for the police.

The only problem is it has to be charged from time to time.

I was wondering if it is possible to hard-wire a regular 12V car phone charger into the power wires somewhere in the trunk circuit (e.g. CD changer wires?) to make the phone recharge whenever you're driving the car.

Does anybody have an idea how to do this? I'm really sorry but i'm not a real DIYer so I'm really looking for help/suggestions.

Thanks.

You have to much extra time on your hands.

[yarviinn]

Originally Posted by bateman1234

Hi all,

It recently occurred to me that it might actually be a smart idea to use an old mobile phone as a tracking device in case your car gets stolen.

The phone, as i see it, would be set to mute and buried deep under the upholstery in the trunk (e.g. somewhere in the CD changer area). When your car happens to be stolen, it will serve as a free GPS/mobile tracking device. This is a great tracking aid for the police.

The only problem is it has to be charged from time to time.

I was wondering if it is possible to hard-wire a regular 12V car phone charger into the power wires somewhere in the trunk circuit (e.g. CD changer wires?) to make the phone recharge whenever you're driving the car.

Does anybody have an idea how to do this? I'm really sorry but i'm not a real DIYer so I'm really looking for help/suggestions.

Thanks.

BMW has some sort of tracking device installed in your car already. My SA told me.

[jcut825]

http://gizmodo.com/5691724/how-to-tr...e-on-the-cheap

just found this by googleing dunno but seems simple.

[Greatdane84]

Yeah I wouldn't trust a phone to maintain cell service buried within your car. I can't even get cell phone service in Ale House...

[gpb]

Seems like by the time mess around wiring / hiding a phone and paying a couple years of cell service it'd be simpler to just go with LoJack?

[trk06]

Originally Posted by gpb

Seems like by the time mess around wiring / hiding a phone and paying a couple years of cell service it'd be simpler to just go with LoJack?

+1

[drevil2k2]

Wouldn't the yearly BMW assist covers theft tracking?

I know it is more expensive, but it's a cleaner system and with some insurance companies, there is a discount for having such a system.

[BOBKUR]

All you need is a mean ass dog!

[Bslice]

Trunk Monkey!

[NjPrince]

Your car can easily be tracked already. Bmw assist can have the location of your vehicle in a matter of seconds. If your car can make calls to BMW without any special services then it can be tracked with the signal. Im sure BMW assist does track vehicles for emergency situations.

[roadkillrob]

How do you figure it is free - the cell phone would have to be on contract to work - at least $10 a month on a family plan or more.