Disc tray won't open

Open the unit and inspect it carefully to see if anything is jamming the tray. It's also possible there's a problem with the switch that indicates whether the tray is open or closed.

It's also possible the open/close button is kaput.

gunked up lubricant, belts slipping too.

G=B2

Aha! I took the top of the 3-disc player off and discovered 4 (!) discs.

I took them all out and the tray now opens and closes!

I then put 3 discs back in the tray and closed the tray.

But now, when each disc is positioned over the read lens, the disk doesn't spin (it moves only about 1/2 inch and stops) and "No Disk" is displayed on the front panel.

Suggestions?

Aha! I took the top of the 3-disc player off and I discovered 4 (!) discs.

I took them all out and the tray now opens and closes!

I then put 3 discs back in the tray and closed the tray.

But now, when each disc is positioned over the read lens, the disk doesn't spin (it moves only about 1/2 inch and stops) and "No Disk" is displayed on the front panel.

Any suggestions?

Check the laser. It might be dirty. (Considering you had too many disks in the changer, heaven knows what else might be there!)

I cleaned the laser, let it dry, reset the microprocessor and turned the unit on.

Now, the disc is picked up and it spins but slowly.

Then, the disc tray rotates and the above actions occur with the next disc.

The disc tray rotates again and the above actions occur with the last disc.

Finally, "No Disc" is displayed on the front panel.

Some units have a magnetic locking hub to clamp the disc in the center so that the drive can spin it. Maybe the magnetic isn't working? Broken wire? And then, others just have a mechanical clamp in which, you may have a broken drive or associated mechanisms..

Sounds like a slipping drive train to me.

Jamie

The CD disc drive raises the disc until it presses against a round plastic plate. The disc is "hovering" over the read laser. However, the disc spins very slowly or moves only about 1" and stops. How do I check for a "slipping drive train"?

The disc drive raises the disc until it presses against a round plastic plate so the disc "hovers" over the read laser.

However, the disc spins very slowly or moves only about 1" and then stops.

Where is the "drive train" and how do I check it to see if it is slipping? Is there a belt?

I wouldn't worry yourself about "slipping drive trains". It is *very* unlikely that there is anything wrong with the disc positioning and clamping. You can check for certain by spinning the disc with a finger after it has stopped trying to spin it up. You will soon feel if the disc is not firmly clamped to the turntable. The symptoms you are describing are absolutely classic for a dirty or defective laser. Since you say that you have cleaned the laser - I'm assuming of course that you know how to do this properly - and it hasn't improved the situation, then that leaves a faulty or worn out laser as the most likely bet.

There are other things that it can be, such as a defective connection between the optical block and the servo board, or a fault in the servo circuit itself. It could also be down to a defective spindle motor. They do give trouble in most makes and models. You can often prove that by giving the disc a 'flick' in the normal direction of rotation with a fingertip, during that short period when it is trying to spin the disc up. Often, a bad motor will 'take off' if helped like this, and will at least spin the disc up to the point where the TOC can be read. It probably won't then go on to actually play the disc, though.

Arfa