Acura: Someone broke into my 1996 Integra, now it won’t start

"gobler" <com> wrote in message
news:com... 
They removed 

Most likely he/she tried to hot wire your car but couldn't get it started.

Also, the passeger-side plastic panel 

Yes, major component - they stole the car's computer.
 


Call your insurance agent, should be covered under comprehensive with no
deductible if anything like my coverage. Still a big PIA.



I have visually 

"Fred" <Bal> wrote in message
news:com... 
That is not as grim as it sounds. Don't even think of going to the dealer
for one - they run around $1000 new. But they are widely available at
wrecking yards for roughly $100 and are as good as the one you lost. Call
around, because the last time I needed one I got prices from $75 to $150.

Mike

gobler <com> wrote in
news:com:
 


The unit stolen is the ECU;engine control unit,it runs the fuel injection
system.
My 94 GSR had the same thing happen,it took 6 WEEKS for Acura to get a new
one from Japan,it had to be made,they don't stock them.Cost 2 yrs ago was
$775 USD. from the dealer.

The car is DEAD without it.

They stole it to use in another car,probably for re-programming for higher
performance.

I suggest you invest in an auto alarm to keep them from using your car as a
parts source in the future.

--
Jim Yanik
jyanik
at
kua.net

"Michael Pardee" <com> wrote in
news:net:
 

I think you can find them on Ebay,too.

--
Jim Yanik
jyanik
at
kua.net

> 

I had my GSR stolen in San Diego with a good alarm system. Car was
completely stripped within 2 hours and the parts were already on its way to
Mexico - very common for stolen Acuras/Hondas in that part of the area.

Alarm or no alarm, I don't know, doesn't stop the pros and my insurance did
not cover any of the after market installations including the alarm, power
amps, subs, cd/mp3 changer, etc. I got about 75% of the street price for the
car and nothing for the aftermarket stuff. Victimized twice, once by the
thieves and again by my insurance company.

What can you do? This country has an endless supply of losers, and given
enough time, when I get my new car, it will be keyed, vandalized or stolen.
Best defense is a good insurance policy, and a high level of tolerance.

"Fred" <Bal> wrote in
news:com:
 

Were you nearby to hear the alarm going off?
 

I agree that no alarm alone will stop pro thieves.
 

I still like to make it a bit more difficult for the thieves.

--
Jim Yanik
jyanik
at
kua.net

"Jim Yanik" <gov.> wrote in message
news:250.170.83... 

No, my alarm installer said there is a device the thieves use that disable
the alarm system from the outside. If you are in a big city, alarm goes off
all the time and no one pays any attention. Better alarms call your cell
phone but you really have to respond fast - 7 seconds, its gone! Even lojack
is no use after the first hour of the thief. It would stop most armatures
but those are pros.

Steering wheel locks - cut within 15 seconds. I use a lock for the gas or
brake peddle - slows them down and the San Diego police likes that better
than the steering wheel lock. I would also install a hood lock, power and
gas shut off device.

The RSX continue the tradition as one of the most stolen cars - you would
think Acura would have done a better job against thieves.

 

gobler <com> wrote in
news:com:
 

$200 bucks at Best Buy will get you a real auto alarm -installed,while you
wait.
It would help prevent them from removing other parts from your car.

I would not depend on a blinking LED alone to protect your auto.
Note that at the time my ECU was stolen,the Acura parts guy related to me
how a dealer on a major Orlando highway had a Integra that thieves stripped
the *entire engine and tranny* from while on their parking lot.
I also understand that thieves cut the steering wheel apart to defeat the
Club,not that that would stop them from stealing your ECU or other parts
off your car.

Thieves often revisit their victims to steal more from them.

--
Jim Yanik
jyanik
at
kua.net