LoJack Early Warning Recovery System

RomaBoy · 04-22-2008, 11:20 AM

This question is for anyone who has this system installed on their rig or knowledge of the system and its maintenance. I'm coming up on my 2 year initial warranty period of LoJack installed on my FJC with the Early Warning Recovery System. LoJack wants to charge me $80 to inspect the system for proper performance. Is there a battery that needs to be replaced on the unit hidden in the truck? If not is this inspection really necessary? I already replaced the batteries in the 2 key passes they give you . Thanks in advance. Roma

sandabbe · 04-22-2008, 11:27 AM

We have this too and they keep sending us stuff to extend the warranty on the thing, they just want $$$, they say if your vehicle is stolen and the system fails they will not cover the theft. But I say if they just want to make some risidual $$, and scare us.. If the product has failure we should be notified and it should be recalled/replaced. Next trip to the dealer (where it was installed) i will have them check it, see if it is working properly. thanks for reminding me. We do not have the system that calls us first, we have the plain old lojack.

RomaBoy · 04-22-2008, 11:42 AM

Thanks sandabbe, I had mine dealer installed also but blew the extra $300 for the Early Warning Recovery System where they call you. Thought it was a good idea in case the vehicle is ripped off out of my garage while on vacation. Reading the warranty fine print sounds like if you don't get it inspected after the 2 year period you're not covered anymore. That's why I'm wondering if there's a battery involved in the main unit.

sandabbe · 04-22-2008, 11:49 AM

in the papers they sent us is states the tracking system (unless it is broke) will still activate, or be able to be activated by them when called by the police or us, but i am still going to see the dealer about it, we are just 2 weeks out of the 2 year mark. I think it is just a chip, but with offroading and the likes i would like to see if it is still working! They want to sell us 1, 2 or 3 year extended warranty! for $$$$, about half of what we paid for the original thing! i bet next they will start offering monthly service agreements like the home security places do.

RomaBoy · 04-22-2008, 11:58 AM

I'm not due until June so if you could please post here what your dealer had to say about it. I'd like to have some knowledge before I go in for service. Thanks Again.

F.E.A.R. · 04-22-2008, 12:20 PM

Hm...I'm debating on getting Lojack or the Viper GPS...I like Lojack, but I hear in Atlanta it only works in about 20% of the area...where as viper is everywhere and I can start it up via my phone and do pretty much anything else as well as find exactly where it is at all times, even SHUT the car down from my cell phone if it gets stolen\hotwired...decisions O.o

**FJDave** · 04-22-2008, 04:34 PM

There is a battery backup that needs replaced after 2 years or so. This is part of the service. It's worth it.

The Early Warning System has a small key fob that. if it is not in the car when you drive off, will alert LoJack. LoJack will call a number you gave them with a recorded message stating your car (FJ) is driving off without the fob in it. So, if you have no idea your FJ is driving off, you can call Police a lot sooner and have more of a chance of getting your truck back in 1 piece.

skorp62 · 04-22-2008, 05:04 PM

I have the LoJack system installed as well and I'd like to point out a few things.

They can NOT run your LoJack off of the car battery or a thief could just disconnect the battery and be free and clear.

Any stand-alone battery system has to run down eventually, hence they need to check the system periodically to verify it is still operational.

If they tapped into the car electrical system to keep the battery charged, it would be much easier to track the unit down.

The dealer has nothing to do with your LoJack installation other than providing the LoJack tech a place to perform the install. It was explained to me quite clearly that ONLY a certified LoJack technician would have any idea where the unit was hidden on my truck. They have a number of "secret spots" that they hide them in so that a thief can not just rip it out.

I'll happily pay the maintenance and renewal fees when mine comes up, or I throw away the money spent on this service in the first place.

RomaBoy · 04-22-2008, 10:35 PM

Dave and skorp62, Thanks for the heads up guys. I figured the hidden sending unit had to have a battery but wanted to ask here to get a straight up answer. I will go for the 2 year service but I'm glad to now know that I don't have to go back to the dealer to have it done. Now I'd like to ask another question about the Early Warning Recovery System. After reading the manual again it states if the vehicle is moved without the key pass they will alert you. OK, so how far does the vehicle have to be moved without the key pass before they send out an alert to you? The reason I'm asking is that I tired moving my rig at work without the key pass to see if I would get an alert but nothing happened. Does it have to be moved miles before an alert is sounded?

**Chatsworth 818 FJ** · 04-22-2008, 10:40 PM

If Dave says its good then, Im sure lo-jack is great. I hear on my scanner every day lo-jack hits. LAPD is doing a super job catching the low-lifes who take cars.