Now I'm p*ssed off!

Axman · 06-24-2003, 03:46 PM

Yesterday afternoon I was out in my back yard checking my corral of projects. Something seemed odd about my 79 Malibu wagon. After a couple of seconds I realized what was wrong, the driver's door and the rear driver's side door wasn't closed entirely. Upon closer inspection I noticed the shift knob was missing and the rear seat padding was pulled loose from the framework. I investigated further! About a year and a half ago I installed a CD changer that was partially concealled on the inside of the left rear quarter panel. In this location is an opening that is just right for the changer to fit and pivots out for cartridge loading. The wiring ran under the interior trim and under the rear seat, then under the dash to the head unit. I removed everything last year except for the changer as it was not visible from the outside of the car. Well, the changer was gone! When I removed the rest of the stereo I took the 10 disc cartridge out. I have the cartridge here in my home office. They only took the $6 shift knob and the changer. My $160 shift light tach is still in there. My Grant wheel is there and all my other gauges, etc.

Today I looked a little further, and seen that the reason the seat cushion was pulled out is because they did't have enough sense to pull the release lever to uncover the wiring. They then ripped all of the wiring out. One wire was for the remote control panel which was still under the seat with about 2 feet of cable left on it. Also the frequency interupter was still there. Now, the unit can't be used without the remote because there is only one head unit available with built in remote, it cost over $300. Other head units need that interupter. Also, the cartridge will cost them about $40. The remote can be replaced but as far as I remember they are pricey also. The changer also had a problem playing discs 2 and 3. Repair shop estimated repair cost at around $80. The theif will pay almost the cost of a new changer to have a working unit.

I am out in the middle of the desert, nearest house is 1/8 mile and it's vacant. My guess is it's a kid who went digging around in the car in the middle of the night. Kids tend to steal trinket type items (my "dice" shift knob) along with the stereos and will pass up the costly gauges. Next time I hear noises outside in the middle of the night, my 9mm Beretta and I will have to investigate.

06-24-2003, 03:46 PM	#1
Axman Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Kingman, AZ Posts: 90	*Now I'm pssed off!** Yesterday afternoon I was out in my back yard checking my corral of projects. Something seemed odd about my 79 Malibu wagon. After a couple of seconds I realized what was wrong, the driver's door and the rear driver's side door wasn't closed entirely. Upon closer inspection I noticed the shift knob was missing and the rear seat padding was pulled loose from the framework. I investigated further! About a year and a half ago I installed a CD changer that was partially concealled on the inside of the left rear quarter panel. In this location is an opening that is just right for the changer to fit and pivots out for cartridge loading. The wiring ran under the interior trim and under the rear seat, then under the dash to the head unit. I removed everything last year except for the changer as it was not visible from the outside of the car. Well, the changer was gone! When I removed the rest of the stereo I took the 10 disc cartridge out. I have the cartridge here in my home office. They only took the $6 shift knob and the changer. My $160 shift light tach is still in there. My Grant wheel is there and all my other gauges, etc. Today I looked a little further, and seen that the reason the seat cushion was pulled out is because they did't have enough sense to pull the release lever to uncover the wiring. They then ripped all of the wiring out. One wire was for the remote control panel which was still under the seat with about 2 feet of cable left on it. Also the frequency interupter was still there. Now, the unit can't be used without the remote because there is only one head unit available with built in remote, it cost over $300. Other head units need that interupter. Also, the cartridge will cost them about $40. The remote can be replaced but as far as I remember they are pricey also. The changer also had a problem playing discs 2 and 3. Repair shop estimated repair cost at around $80. The theif will pay almost the cost of a new changer to have a working unit. I am out in the middle of the desert, nearest house is 1/8 mile and it's vacant. My guess is it's a kid who went digging around in the car in the middle of the night. Kids tend to steal trinket type items (my "dice" shift knob) along with the stereos and will pass up the costly gauges. Next time I hear noises outside in the middle of the night, my 9mm Beretta and I will have to investigate. __________________ Rice Hater's Club member #213 "If you've got it, get more, then flaunt it!" "...More power, arr arr!" --Tim Allen 1992 LX convertible, 2.3L 165 hp, I can't get it from the wife.. 1983 Chevy S-10, 2.8L engine, T4 trans, my daily driver. 1973 VW Beetle, 1.6L engine 57 hp. 1979 Chevy Malibu Wagon, 305/350, 250 hp more on the way. 1978 Honda Frankencivic CVCC, Ford 460 big block, C6 trans, currently rated @208 hp more on the way.