I remember with my old Acura CL, they required the car's VIN number AND the Serial Number on the unit...

My dash lights are out AGAIN for the (2rd time) since i bought the car. Car is out of warranty and since the last time was Feb 9, 2005 (over a year ago) they pretty much told me I was SOL and then refered me to the parts counter who quoted me $1300 on a new unit. --- to replace a unit jus cuz the backlights are out? I can drive in the dark thanks.

But I got lucky and found one on ebay that I bought for roughly $500, which i am still pissed about. But the thing didn't come with the security code which the seller conveintly told me AFTER I won the auction, he said he bought it at a live auction (whateve rthe hell that is) and that HE didn't have the security code and couldn't get the VIN of the car it came off of since he's never actually seen the car it came from.

Hell for all I know, this unit's lights are out too. --- It was a gamble to save myself from $1300.

In any case I should be recieving the unit soon from the seller. Is there anyway acura can look up the code for me?

PS--- I have NOT contacted the dealer to ask them this question beaucse i've kinda pissed them off (go figure) by bitching about the units going out every friggin year. They keep replacing mine with a refurbished unit which is probably why it keeps going out, and now i'm SOL since its outta warranty. Anyway they're the only dealer in tampa and i just figured i'd wait to see the responses here and contact them after I receive the unit since its too late at this point.

Thanks in advance!!

 

They ask that stuff as a security precaution. I'm sure no one here would like it if our units were stolen, sold on the black market, and then Acura gives out the code so that they can use it.

My local honda dealer gave me the code for my accord's radio over the phone without me giving them my vin number...but they probably pulled it off my record when I gave them my name...

My other accord's radio had the code written on a sticker on it...which is a good thing, considering that it wasn't listed in Honda's database

 

I completely agree...

still wanna know if i can get teh code. i bought it off e-bay i didn't rip it off someone besides at the risk of soundingl ike an ass hole, thats not my problem. i'm sure someone's insurance covered it if in fact it was stolen, but what i dont know wont hurt me. i'm just a simple ebay patron.

 

i cant answer your question exactly, but, is it acceptable for them to use refurbished parts for a warranty issue? maybe you can argue that because they didnt replace it with a new part, they have to replace it for free?

probably not, but just thought i'd throw out the suggestion for ya.

sorry i cant help more.

 

That's basically saying that it's cool if thieves break into our fixed-up cars, because it means discounted items for you ;-P Maybe soon you'll be posting that someone broke into your car and stole it. Ebay isn't completely innocent...alot of fraud happens there.

Anyway, the only way you'd probably be able to get the code is to either become buddy-buddy with someone who would then be willing to look it up for you, or maybe call around until you find someone who's somewhat new and will do it for you.

My dad can make friends wherever he goes....but he's getting old now, so I think the "Senior" look helps.

Like they said in my computer science courses...the weakest link in a security system is a human. For example, threaten a computer and a human by saying you'll kill their family member, and the human will break down and comply. So your only bet would be to keep trying around until you find someone who isn't following protocol.

By the way...if the person who sold it to you didn't steal it himself (and probably just bought it from someone else), he probably had no luck in getting someone to give him the code.

 

so you're basically saying don't buy anything from anyone other than a vendor or store because it might be stolen?

i think that's unreasonable too. i buy stuff on ebay all the time, from dvds to tickets to parts to accessories. you can tell if someone is reputable usually, but in the rare occurances that it's stolen merchandise, it's not really the buyer's responsibility to find out (since it'd be impossible).

 

No, basically OP is saying that he bought a security-protected item, and he doesn't care how he got it as long as he can circumvent the security. My accord is broken into so frequently, and I can almost swear that the stuff I see for sale nearby is my stuff lol.

It's like bringing a locked mini-safe to a locksmith and asking him to break it open for you. He wouldn't know if it's actually yours or if you took it from a home-invasion robbery unless he saw your papers. (For our last safe, we just kept the papers behind the safe lol).

I almost buy everything online...I can't even remember the last time I actually walked into a store. But if I have my suspicions, I'll pass up an offer based on principles. People who don't mind buying stolen stuff should have their stuff stolen ;-)

 

i didnt take OPs words the way you did, i took it as meaning it's not his burden to find out if it's stolen, and he's indifferent if it ends up being stolen, because the guy's insurance would cover it. i don't agree 100%, but i thought you were saying to avoid buying things that way because you might be supporting the black market. i dont mind buying stuff in general, if i found out it's stolen, then it sucks, but what can i do about it?

if you see stuff for sale that is identical to what was stolen from you, you should report it. a guy in europe did that with a camera and they caught him.

 

k not to be rude but i could careless about peoples opinions on the ligitimacy of it.

i need a part, i sought a reuptiable source to which i found a good price, i paid for it legally for the money asked for it, and i dont give a shit about anyhting else.

tog et back to the problem at hand, i did finally call the dealer, and he just said write the serial number down before installing it and just come in for the code.

thx for ur help anyway guys.

 

yea i just called and told them the serial #. took the guy about 30 seconds.

 

What are you doing to your vehicle that you have gone through two head units? I have had my car since '03 and not even gone through one. I'm just curious.

 

No entry found for reuptiable.

Did you mean reputable?


sorry, i had to be a wise ass.

anyways man, i was defending you're scenario, but you don't have to be an ass about it either. people are just commenting how a lot of stolen goods pass through ebay and that it sucks. you should care a little bit. it's not like the buyer is completely innocent when stolen goods are purchased, often they can tell.

hopefully your seller had good feedback and a long history. it's pretty easy to tell the schumcks on ebay from the good guys.

anyways, good luck getting the part in and i hope it all works out.