Some low life broke into my 4Runner last night and tried to rip off my empeg. The good news is he/she did not suceed!!!
The Bad news is it looks like they reefed on the handle hard enough to break the crap out of it. My empeg is installed in such a fashion (don't know if it is normal or not) that you must pull it out slowly, carefully and STRAIGHT out. The gearshift (on the floor) has to be in either 2ond or 3rd gear or the empeg won't clear it.
Looks like I'll need a new handle. Are their any available anywhere? And is it difficult to remove the broken one and install the new one? I already have empeg in for repair with Rob, and now this problem, so it looks like I am down to only one player.
I'm not even sure if the empeg works. I have been so pissed/sick today, I have not tried it.

Anyone have any ideas, BESIDES a better car alarm?

Even before Tony gets a chance to say it, I will - always take your player with you.

I know. But that is really the only way to safeguard it completely. You are very fortunate to still have the player, though. Handles are something that can be repaired. In fact, there are very few empegs that are beyond fixing.

I would strongly recommend you request a replacement handle from Rob in the Amersfoort thread as soon as possible. It might be possible to replace the handle yourself quickly.

Meanwhile, is there any other damage to the player or to the sled? If they were that brutal trying to rip out the player, check your sled wiring very carefully before trying to power the empeg up in the car.

My condolences.

-edit. Damn. Still too slow...

-edit. Here is a good photo from the FAQ showing how the handle is connected. It looks like it would be easy enough to replace, if you had another to swap it with.

I'm really sorry to hear you were broken to. At least they didn't get the entire player.

I am going to try and create replacement handles, but it won't happen for a while. Hopefully I can make something in time to be helpful. Good luck with the replacement.

I have left it in my car three times since it was installed. Last night was one of them. By mistake. Brutal day at work (budget time!) and grabbed my briefcase and totally spaced the empeg. I hope it is able to forgive me. I'll find out in a few minutes...sniff sniff...

My handle has been broke for quite a while now.. While I wait for Rob to let me know I can get a spare handle assembly from him I did what a bunch of people suggested and drilled a hole through the broke part of my handle and glued a needle in just to keep it together.. I just grab the handle up at the point it connects with the empeg and pull from both sides instead of using the handle so much and it has worked fine for me for the time being.

I will have to retire it until I can get a handle. It is bent where it is broke....dont think the needle thnig will work so good...

I do hope you have added the "handle" to the Amersfoort parts bonanza list?

I think I added them correctly, Mark, can you or someoen double check to make sure I did it right?

Also, who, how and when do I pay and how much?

Thanks

Did you have a chance to test out your player yet to see if it was only cosmetic damage?

It sounds good. Hopefully they were not able to really rip out any of the wiring behind the dash. It sounds like they were either interrupted or just gave up.

If it has been playing in the dock, that is a good sign. The think I was most worried about was the VFD. The glass is is probably the most fragile, and if they used enough force to snap the handle, I thought they may have crasked the glass.

The only other item I would worry about is the IDE header and cable. But if it seems to play fine, you should be okay. You might want to open the player and inspect the connections, but that is all.