I just got busted "stealing" a car stereo!
Posted: Sat Nov 20, 2010 12:59 am
I got antsy tonight to replace the display bulb in my stock AC Delco head unit (CD/7 band EQ model) and try it out (because I ripped it out the day I bought the car, never really gave it a chance)...to the point where I went to a store that's sort of like a Wal Mart, but I think they're only in the midwest - Meijer's. Anyhow, I ended up using a standard turn signal bulb, a small one, and it ended up working GREAT! Soldered it to the PCB and the display looks perfect.
Anyhow...so just about the time I'm about to put my key in the ignition to fire up the Delco after the swap, this security guy was making his rounds, and parks right in front of my car, and the next thing I see is him talking on his radio. Great. Not that I was in "trouble", but how long is this going to take, is what I was thinking. He walked up, I opened the door, "What'cha got goin' on here, Chief?" "It's mine, here I have an aftermarket radio, and I'm trying out the stock one after a modification", is what I told him. "Ya got any ID on you?", he said. "No, but I live in the apartment around the corner, I can run and get it. Want me to grab an insurance card or something (which SHOULD be in the vehicle, right? But I'm bad about that!)?" "Yes, get something with the VIN, and your ID...". So, I come back and he's taking pictures of my car and of my plate (a temp plate still). I told him that he wasn't going to find this car on file with the apartments yet, because I just got it. He called it in, sure enough, no record of it (but there is now!). So I pointed out that the VIN and name on the insurance card matched the VIN on the car and my ID. "Well, that's good enough for me. I just don't see too many late night installations." We laughed. I thanked him for patrolling and told him it's good to know that someone is out there keeping an eye on things.
Anyhow, that was my adventure for the night. And.....my Alpine, I believe, is going back in tomorrow. Steering wheel controls are nice, and it sounds "okay"....but....I'll give it a fair shot tomorrow. We'll see.
Anyhow...so just about the time I'm about to put my key in the ignition to fire up the Delco after the swap, this security guy was making his rounds, and parks right in front of my car, and the next thing I see is him talking on his radio. Great. Not that I was in "trouble", but how long is this going to take, is what I was thinking. He walked up, I opened the door, "What'cha got goin' on here, Chief?" "It's mine, here I have an aftermarket radio, and I'm trying out the stock one after a modification", is what I told him. "Ya got any ID on you?", he said. "No, but I live in the apartment around the corner, I can run and get it. Want me to grab an insurance card or something (which SHOULD be in the vehicle, right? But I'm bad about that!)?" "Yes, get something with the VIN, and your ID...". So, I come back and he's taking pictures of my car and of my plate (a temp plate still). I told him that he wasn't going to find this car on file with the apartments yet, because I just got it. He called it in, sure enough, no record of it (but there is now!). So I pointed out that the VIN and name on the insurance card matched the VIN on the car and my ID. "Well, that's good enough for me. I just don't see too many late night installations." We laughed. I thanked him for patrolling and told him it's good to know that someone is out there keeping an eye on things.
Anyhow, that was my adventure for the night. And.....my Alpine, I believe, is going back in tomorrow. Steering wheel controls are nice, and it sounds "okay"....but....I'll give it a fair shot tomorrow. We'll see.