JVC model RC-X3 CD portable system

Try spinning it by hand, and put a drop of oil on the shaft with a needle oiler so that it drips down the shaft into the housing. Use a fine oil like wd40 or LPS. If that dont work you can remove the motor, find out its operating voltage and hook it up reverse polarity on a DC supply set at the operating voltage. If it wont turn, help it by hand. If it does start let it run for a while, increase the voltage a couple of volts, then remove the supply voltage, repeat the process under the opposite polarity. Otherwise its time for a new motor.

Uh ho

Maybe my question was ambiguous, the spindle is free to turn but doesn't.

Does anyone know if the likely cause is something simple like a sensor switch or motor PCB fault, or is it likely to be something more involved like a laser fault shutdown mode?

More often than not - a bad laser pickup. The laser / focus circuit must achieve focus before the disc will spin.

Not been following the thread, but obviously if the lens hasn't been cleaned yet, now is the time. Seen lots of bad JVC pickups, though...

Mark Z.

Knowing my luck it will be the latter!