« BMW Ultimate Drive | The CD Changer installed in the glove compartment of my car has ceased to function for several years already (it failed to recognize CDs in the 6 disc magazine). Today, after a few google searches, I found a discussion forum that has just the information I was looking for, a potential fix for the problem a lot of people have experienced in their Alpine CD changers. So, I decided to give it a try! For better or for worse. First, I removed the changer from the glove compartment. That was a fairly easy task of unplugging 2 wiring connectors, since my changer wasn't properly secured to the glove compartment (missing mounting bracket/screws). Now, with the changer sitting on my desk, remove the screws on the side of the changer as shown below. Then, pop out the plastic clips to remove the front panel. Then, remove the springs that suspends the internal casing for anti-vibration using a long nose plier. Then, remove the 4 rubber bushings by hand, and open up the case as shown below.

Now, the actual repair/adjustment. On the lower left hand side of the picture below, you will see this worm/wheel drive gear. air purifier singapore bestThere was a small gap between them, causing the worm to not driving the gear, and therefore, failed to pick up the CD.best home air purifier uk To adjust it, I first loosen the screw that's holding the gear in place, using one screw driver to push it closer to the worm gear, while using another screw driver to tighten the screw. best air purifier allergies consumer reportsI used my hand to rotate the worm a little bit to test out the operation. Then, I reversed the steps and closed up the case and place the changer back into the car. Now, I can listen to CDs again :) 

All-in-all, it took about one hour of work, and saved myself about $300 of repair bill. Now, if I can find a way to repair the power antenna in the other car... part of the antenna was broken , so radio reception was extremely poor... I have found some exploded views of the parts, and hopefully I can take it apart and be able to order just the required parts, to save me another $350 (or save me $600 if I let my friendly dealer do the honor). « BMW Ultimate Drive | Miko blogs about java, cars, photography, investment. Hirschmann Auto Antenna Replacement Web2.0 Expo San Francisco 2008 Who killed electric cars five things you don't know about me Sun Tech Days - Taipei 10/19/2007 « September 2016SunMonTueWedThuFriSat    123456789        TodayA car radio CD player is something that you will find may need to be repaired from time to time. There are a handful of things that could be wrong with your CD player. It is up to you to find the source of the problem and attempt to fix it.

Having to purchase a new CD player every time something goes wrong with the one you have can get to be very expensive. This is why it is a good idea for you to figure out how to fix your car stereo CD player for whenever it begins to act up at all. If your auto CD player is having sound quality issues, then there are a few things that could be wrong with it. You will need to look over all of the cable connections. They need to be completely secured. You may end up needing to replace the cable that connects the receiver and the CD unit. Make sure that you clean the contacts that are on your CD player. This is something that you will be able to do with a contact cleaner that is electronic grade. If the disc you are listening to is skipping, then take it out and examine the CD. If the CD is dirty or scratched, then this could be the problem. However, if your CD is clear of debris and scratches, then it may be the laser lens. Test it out on multiple CDs that are clean. If there is skipping with all of them, then you will need to clean your laser lens.

If you find that the discs you put in are not being recognized, then you may be putting them in the wrong way. Make sure that the CDs you are putting in are being put in right side up. The label should be on top when entering it into your player. You may also need to clean your laser lens or unengaged the transportation lock. The lock will be a screw that is on the bottom of your unit. If the door is having issues opening or closing, then it could be a problem with your drawer loading belt. You will need to make sure that the belt is elastic and tight, if it is not, then it is time to replace it. You will be able to find these belts at most electronic part stores. You will want to make sure that the replacement belt you get is one that has the same amount of thickness or just a little bit more. Make sure that it is not so tight that the motor has to strain. Make sure that there are no gears that are loose or broken, replace them if necessary. Also check for any debris or hair that could prevent any of the moving parts issues.

CD Player Repair The compact disc player, or CD player, was the first major entertainment appliance to used digital technology. This Fix-It Guide on CD player repair tells how a CD player works, what often goes wrong, how to identify a CD player problem, and what parts and tools you will need to fix it. It then gives instructions for how to clean a CD, how to clean the CD player lens, how to service the disc tray and belt of a single-play unit, and how to service the CD player tray motor. Some of these repairs also apply to CD burner repair.How Does a CD Player Work?A CD player is an electronic device powered by a universal motor that rotates a flat plastic disc that has been stamped with a digital code representing specific sounds. As the player rotates the CD at high speed the sound track–less than the width of a human hair–is read by a laser beam used to produce an electric stereo sound signal. This signal goes to an amplifier and speakers or earphones to reproduce the music represented on the CD.

What Can Go Wrong with a CD Player?CD players either work or they don’t. The third option is that they work, but the sound skips–which typically is caused by a dirty or damaged disc rather than the player. CD players have few moving parts and are mostly trouble free. In fact, there is little you can do besides clean the CDs, clean the machine, or replace cords. Just about everything else should be turned over to an electronics technician.Fix-It TipYou can use a CD repair kit, available where CDs are sold, to polish out scratches on the underside of the disc.How Can I Identify a CD Player Problem?CD player problems are usually obvious, though the solutions may not be.If a CD player does not work at all, make sure the power supply is on at the outlet. Check the electrical cord and replace it if necessary; remove the housing and test the fuse; test the on-off switch and replace it if needed.If a CD player works but produces no sound, check the connections to the stereo system and clean the clear plastic reading lens.

If a CD player skips, check to be sure the CD itself is not scratched or dirty.If a CD player tray won’t open or close properly, check the belt for dirt or wear and check the tray for misalignment (remove, clean, lubricate, and reinstall).If the sound from a CD player is distorted, check and clean dirty output jacks.Fix-It TipCD players and other electronic devices are dust magnets. Every month, carefully clean the interior of these devices with canned air or a vacuum.What Do I Need for CD Player Repair?You can find CD cleaners, canned air, and other tools and parts at electronic stores, or even at larger discount stores. Replacement parts need to come from the manufacturer or aftermarket supplier. Here are some of the tools and materials you may need:ScrewdriversMultimeterCanned air or soft brushFoam swab or camera-lens tissueLens cleaner fluidClean, dust-free clothWhite lithium greaseTweezersCotton glovesCD cleaning fluid or denatured alcoholWhat Are the Steps to CD Player Repair?The four primary fixes you can do to a CD player include cleaning a CD, cleaning the lens, cleaning the tray, and replacing the tray motor.

Let’s take a look at each:Clean a CD:Hold the disc by its hub and outside edges. (The music data is located on the back or bottom side of the disc.)Blow dust from the bottom surface with a can of compressed air.Clean dirt and fingerprints with a lint-free cloth dampened with CD-cleaning fluid or denatured alcohol, all available at electronic stores. Wipe from the center outward (not a circular motion).Clean the CD player lens:To access the lens in a single-play unit, remove the housing and carefully lift up the hold-down clamp to expose the lens. To remove the lens in a carousel player, remove the player housing and unscrew the bracket secured to the top of carousel, then lift off the bracket.Remove dust with canned air or a soft brush. If needed, use a foam swab or camera-lens tissue (not eyeglass tissue) dampened with lens fluid.Service the disc tray and belt of a single-play CD unit:Open the housing by removing the screws on the outside of the housing and remove anything blocking the tray.

Press the open-close control to extend tray, and unplug the unit. To remove the clip-on tray front, brace the tray and slide the panel to one side.Unplug any cables connecting the front panel to the interior. Remove the screws securing the front panel and gently tilt it off. If the panel won’t move, check beneath it for clips or additional screws.Lift off the hold-down clamp, screw, or spring on top of the disc tray. Gently pull the tray out of the player. Clean the travel rail and guides with a swab dampened with denatured alcohol. Lubricate the tray sparingly with white lithium grease.Remove the belt to inspect for dirt, water, or damage. Avoid touching the belt with your fingers. Use tweezers or wear cotton gloves. Clean the belt with a lint-free cloth moistened with denatured alcohol. Replace the belt if it is damaged.Service the CD player tray motor:Unplug the player and test the motor.A dirty motor plug can make the tray work intermittently. To clean the motor plug, unplug it and spray it with electrical contact cleaner.