Configure Engine On/Off Detection for Your Vehicle Tracker

Getting accurate engine on/off detection is crucial for reliable GPS tracking and alerts. Your Track My Ride tracker needs to know when your vehicle's engine is running to properly track journeys, trigger alerts, and manage power consumption. By default, the system detects the engine is on when the incoming voltage exceeds 13.2 volts, but you can adjust this setting to match your specific vehicle. This guide explains the different detection methods available and shows you how to configure them for optimal performance.

Why Engine Detection Matters

Accurate engine detection affects several important aspects of your tracking system. It determines when journeys start and end, when to send you alerts about engine activity, and how your tracker manages its power consumption. Getting this right means more reliable tracking and fewer false alerts.

Accessing Your Vehicle Settings

Before you can adjust engine detection, you need to access your vehicle's settings in Track My Ride.

Step 1: Sign In to Your Account

Step 2: Navigate to Vehicles

Click on the vehicles section to view your list of tracked vehicles.

Step 3: Open Vehicle Settings

Find the vehicle you want to configure and click the pencil button on the right side of its row. This opens the vehicle editing window where you can adjust various settings including engine detection.

Understanding Engine Detection Methods

Track My Ride offers several different methods for detecting when your vehicle's engine is running. Each method suits different situations, vehicle types, and installation setups. You can use a single method or combine multiple methods for more accurate detection.

Voltage Detection (Default Method)

This is the most common detection method and works well for the majority of vehicles. When your vehicle is turned off, the battery voltage typically measures around 12.5 volts. When you start the engine, the alternator spins and charges the battery, boosting the voltage to approximately 13.5 volts or higher. The tracker monitors this voltage change to determine when the engine is running.

The default setting considers the engine on when the battery voltage is between 13.2V and 16V for passenger vehicles, or above 27V for trucks. This works perfectly for most vehicles but might need adjustment for some specific makes and models.

Ignition Sense Wire Detection

This method is available for TMR-S8 4G trackers that have been hardwired into the vehicle. The tracker uses a dedicated wire connected to your vehicle's ignition or accessories circuit. When this wire receives +12V or +24V power, the tracker knows the engine is on. When the wire has no power (0V), the tracker knows the engine is off.

This method is highly accurate because it uses a direct electrical signal from your vehicle's ignition system rather than inferring engine status from voltage levels.

Motion Detection

This method detects engine activity based on vehicle movement. The tracker's internal sensors recognise when the vehicle is moving and assumes the engine is running during that movement. This works well for vehicles where you can't use voltage or ignition wire detection, but it can be less accurate in situations where the vehicle experiences movement while parked (like on a car ferry or in high-wind conditions).

Combined Detection Methods

For maximum accuracy, you can combine two detection methods. The engine is considered "on" when either method indicates the engine is running. This approach reduces false negatives and improves overall reliability.

Voltage OR Motion: The engine is detected as on when either the voltage exceeds your set threshold OR when the vehicle is moving.

Voltage OR Ignition Sense Wire: The engine is detected as on when either the voltage exceeds your set threshold OR when the ignition wire receives power.

Configuring Voltage Detection

If you're using voltage detection, you might need to adjust the threshold to match your specific vehicle's electrical characteristics.

Finding the Right Voltage Threshold

While 13.2V works for most vehicles, some require fine-tuning. Here's how to determine the correct threshold for your vehicle.

Step 1: Navigate to Your Vehicle

Go to your vehicles page and find the vehicle you want to analyse.

Step 2: Expand the Vehicle Details

Click on the vehicle's row to expand it, or press the green + symbol at the start of the row. This displays detailed information including a speed and voltage graph.

Step 3: Analyse the Voltage Graph

The graph shows your vehicle's voltage over time alongside its speed. You'll use this to identify the voltage when parked versus when driving.

Click and drag on the graph to zoom into a period that includes both parked time and driving time. This makes the data easier to read.

Step 4: Read the Voltage Values

Hover your mouse over the graph to see exact voltage readings at different times. Note the voltage when the vehicle is parked (engine off) and when it's driving (engine on).

The correct threshold voltage should fall between these two values – higher than the parked voltage but lower than the driving voltage.

Step 5: Set Your Custom Threshold

For example, your vehicle may have a voltage of 12.96V when parked and 14.59V when driving. The default threshold of 13.2V is perfect for this because it sits comfortably between the two values.

If your vehicle shows different voltages, you'll need to adjust the threshold accordingly.

Adjusting the Voltage Threshold

To change the voltage threshold from the default 13.2V:

In the vehicle edit window, select "Voltage" as the engine detection method
Click the "Edit" button next to "Engine On Voltage"
Choose an appropriate threshold from the dropdown options
Select a value that falls between your vehicle's parked and driving voltages
Click "Save" to apply the changes

Important Note About Modern Vehicles

Some modern vehicles use smart alternator management systems that disengage the alternator while driving to improve fuel efficiency. This happens when the battery is fully charged. If your vehicle does this, you might find the voltage drops below your threshold even while the engine is running, causing false engine-off readings. For these vehicles, choose "Voltage or Motion" as your detection method to maintain accurate tracking.

Configuring Ignition Sense Wire Detection

If you have a hardwired TMR-S8 tracker, you can use the ignition sense wire for highly accurate engine detection.

Understanding the Ignition Sense Wire

The TMR-S8 wiring harness includes an Ignition/Acc wire (pin 5 on the connector). This wire should be connected to a circuit in your vehicle that provides +12V or +24V when the vehicle is on, and 0V when it's off.

Choosing the Right Circuit

Accessories Circuit: Provides power whenever the key is in the ACC or Run position. Use this if you want to detect any time the key is turned, even if the engine isn't running yet.

Ignition Circuit: Only provides power when the engine is actually running. Use this for more precise engine-on detection.

A good connection point is typically the radio's power circuit, which follows the ignition or accessories state.

Installation Requirements

Connect the Ignition/Acc wire to an ignition or accessories circuit that is:

+12V or +24V when the vehicle is turned on
0V when the vehicle is turned off
NOT a digital signal line – it must be a power circuit

Check your vehicle's manual to identify the correct circuit in your fuse box.

Important Warnings

Your tracker will not enter low power sleep mode while it detects +12V on the Ignition/Acc wire. Make sure you connect this wire to the correct circuit, or your tracker's backup battery will drain faster than expected.

Only digital voltage signals are supported – ensure you're connecting to an actual power circuit, not a data line.

If you connect to an Accessories circuit rather than an Ignition circuit, the system will detect the engine as "on" whenever the key is in the ACC position, even if the engine isn't actually running.

Selecting Ignition Sense Wire Detection

This option only appears in your vehicle settings if the system has detected a +12V signal on the Ignition/Acc wire. If you've connected the wire but don't see this option, check your wiring connections.

To enable ignition sense wire detection:

Open your vehicle's edit window
Find the "Engine detection" dropdown
Select "Ignition sense wire" from the list
Click "Save" to apply the changes

Configuring Motion Detection

Motion detection is ideal when you can't use voltage or ignition wire methods, or when you want to add an extra layer of detection accuracy.

How Motion Detection Works

The tracker's internal sensors detect when the vehicle is moving. If motion continues for more than one second, the tracker considers the engine to be on. The engine remains "on" for 60 seconds after motion stops, accounting for brief stops at traffic lights or stop signs.

When to Use Motion Detection

Motion detection works well for:

Vehicles where you can't connect an ignition sense wire
Vehicles with unusual voltage characteristics
Adding redundancy to voltage detection (using "Voltage or Motion")

Limitations of Motion Detection

Motion detection can produce false positives if your vehicle is parked in areas with constant external movement, such as:

Construction sites with nearby heavy equipment
Ships, ferries, or trains
Locations with frequent vibrations

For these situations, voltage or ignition sense wire detection provides more reliable results.

Enabling Motion Detection

To use motion detection:

Open your vehicle's edit window
Find the "Engine detection" dropdown
Select "Motion detection" from the list
Click "Save" to apply the changes

Troubleshooting Engine Detection Issues

If you're experiencing problems with engine detection, these solutions can help you diagnose and fix common issues.

False Engine-On Alerts

If you're receiving alerts that the engine is on when it's actually off, the voltage threshold is likely set too low for your vehicle.

Solution: Check your vehicle's voltage graph to identify the actual parked and driving voltages, then adjust the threshold to a value between these two measurements. Alternatively, switch to ignition sense wire detection if your tracker is hardwired.

No Engine-On Detection

If the system isn't detecting when your engine starts, the threshold might be set too high, or there might be a wiring issue.

Solution for Voltage Detection: Verify the voltage threshold is appropriate for your vehicle by checking the voltage graph. The threshold must be lower than your vehicle's voltage when the engine is running.

Solution for Ignition Sense Wire: Check that the ignition sense wire is correctly connected to a circuit that provides +12V or +24V when the vehicle is on and 0V when it's off. Use a multimeter to test the circuit if needed.

Intermittent Detection

If detection works sometimes but not others, your vehicle might have smart alternator management that varies the voltage while driving.

Solution: Switch to "Voltage or Motion" detection. This combines voltage monitoring with motion sensing, ensuring the engine is detected as on even when the alternator temporarily disengages.

Engine Shows as "On" When Vehicle is Being Transported

If you transport vehicles on a truck, train, or ship, motion detection will incorrectly show the engine as running.

Solution: Use voltage detection or ignition sense wire detection rather than motion-based detection. These methods only respond to actual engine operation, not external movement.

Detection Changes Not Taking Effect

After changing detection settings, the tracker needs to reconnect with the Track My Ride servers before the changes apply.

Solution: Wait 5-10 minutes after saving changes. The tracker will receive the new configuration during its next communication cycle. If changes still haven't applied after 15 minutes, try refreshing your browser or restarting the mobile app.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between voltage detection and ignition sense wire detection?

Voltage detection monitors the battery voltage level to infer when the engine is running, while ignition sense wire detection uses a direct electrical connection to your vehicle's ignition circuit. Ignition sense wire is more accurate but requires a hardwired installation.

Can I use different detection methods for different vehicles?

Yes, each vehicle in your account can have its own engine detection configuration. Set up each vehicle according to what works best for that specific vehicle and installation type.

Will changing the detection method affect my existing journey history?

No, changing detection methods only affects future tracking. Your historical journey data remains unchanged.

Why doesn't my tracker offer ignition sense wire detection?

This option only appears for TMR-S8 trackers that are hardwired and have the ignition sense wire properly connected. If you have a plug-and-play installation or the wire isn't connected, this option won't be available.

How often should I check my vehicle's voltage graph?

If your current detection method is working well, you don't need to check regularly. However, if you notice false alerts or missed detections, checking the voltage graph is the first troubleshooting step.

Can motion detection work for vehicles that vibrate while parked?

Motion detection requires continuous movement for more than one second, so brief vibrations shouldn't trigger false positives. However, if your vehicle experiences constant sustained vibration while parked, motion detection might not be ideal.

What happens if I set the voltage threshold too high?

If the threshold is higher than your vehicle's voltage when driving, the tracker will never detect the engine as on. This will prevent journey tracking and engine-on alerts from working properly.

What happens if I set the voltage threshold too low?

If the threshold is lower than your vehicle's voltage when parked, the tracker will constantly think the engine is on, even when it's off. This causes false alerts and prevents the tracker from entering proper sleep mode.

Do combined detection methods drain the battery faster?

The "Voltage or Motion" combination doesn't significantly impact battery life. However, if you're using "Voltage or Ignition Sense Wire" with the ignition wire connected, the tracker won't enter deep sleep while it detects power on that wire, which can affect battery life if the wire is incorrectly connected to an always-on circuit.

Can I test my detection settings before relying on them?

Yes, after configuring your detection method, take a short test drive and then check your journey history. Verify that the journey start and end times match when you actually started and stopped the engine. If they don't align, you may need to adjust your settings.

My vehicle has a start-stop system. Will this affect detection?

Start-stop systems that automatically turn off the engine at traffic lights can sometimes create very short "engine off" periods in your tracking data. Using "Voltage or Motion" detection can help smooth out these brief stops, as the system will continue detecting the engine as on due to the brief motion events.

Does engine detection work differently for electric vehicles?

Electric vehicles don't have traditional engines or alternators, so voltage-based detection may not work reliably. For EVs, motion detection is often the most effective method, or if you have a hardwired tracker, connecting to the vehicle's accessory power circuit with the ignition sense wire provides accurate detection.