Once the rest of the family went with apple and I got apple computer, there is no turning back

I am not sure but I think that it needs data to work. Buy an airtag instead and put it in his wallet or on his keyring

If someone is in the car with you, they have one in their wallet or keys. If not, someone hid one in your car. You said family car. Someone in your family may have put one as theft deterrent