Clicking CD Player

[Victor J]

I have the JBL Premium Audio Package. Most of the time when I get into my car and turn on the radio, if I have a CD in the player, the thing just clicks for about 20 seconds and says CD on the display, then the radio comes on while it continues to click for another 20 seconds, then it says CD on the display and clicks again and the cycle continues as long as I have the radio on. It does this mostly when it is hot in the car, and the only time it doesn't do it consistently is first thing in the morning when it is relatively cool.

Given this information, I went to www.shotimes.com and found a possible fix. First off, has anyone else tried this and had it work successfully? Secondly, I am a poor college student about to go back to school and spend $100's on books and cannot afford the Helms manual. I intend to buy it as soon as I get the money for it, but until then I am just hoping I don't have major car troubles. I would rather not pay the $85 to get the manual at the moment just to regain a luxury such as the use of the CD player. As a result, I have no idea how to get the CD Player out to try the aforementioned fix. Does anyone know how to get the thing out of the dash without destroying it/the dash? I know they make them tough to get out to thwart stereo crooks and it seems quite a daunting task to me. If it is a really tough task without the detailed manual, then just let me know and I guess I'll get out my tape collection and just wait until I can afford the Helms.

Any and all help is greatly appreciated.

<small>[ August 19, 2003, 07:11 PM: Message edited by: Victor J ]</small>

 

[ckinart]

Hi,

I had the very same symptoms as you with the CD player in my '94 MTX, only mine was quite a bit more stubborn. I found the same "fix" instructions as you have linked above, and tried it myself on my CD player. It now works flawlessly and cost me about $4.00 for the electrical contact cleaner.

I can't really elaborate on the instructions at the above link, as they're pretty straight forward, but I can help you with getting the deck out of the car: you can either go to Walmart or Pep Boys or whatever and buy what's known as "DIN" tools (I think they're pretty cheap, ~$5) or you can use a coat hanger like I did (I tried briefly to find DIN tools, but had no luck). Just cut a wire coat hanger into two pieces about 4 inches long each. Bend the two wires into a "U" shape such that you can fit either end of each wire into the two holes in the corners of the right and left sides of the CD player (one wire goes into the two holes on the left, the other in the two holes on the right). Push the wires into the holes firmly, and then pull outward on the deck, and it should slide out. It may take a little persuading, but it does work. If you can find DIN tools, for the money, they'd probably be the way to go, but that's your call.

Hope this helps, and good luck!

<small>[ August 19, 2003, 08:16 PM: Message edited by: ckinart ]</small>

 

[tampasho]

The shotimes cd fix went pretty smooth for me also. The only thing was after removing the small screws from the mini-board (the one with the attached ribbon cable) it wouldn't separate from the unit. Ended up that it was also held in place by a drop of glue or something. Using a small screwdriver, I had to carefully pop it apart to gain access to the little black switches below.

 

[Jr's Sho]

Wal-mart has the DIN tool for $4. I tried the shotimes fix and it didn't do a thing. Sometimes mine works great and other times it will click until I turn it on and off enought times. Hope you can get it to work.

 

[jelloslug]

I had a very bad clicking CD player and cleaning worked for mine also. If its really bad it is possable to replace the microswitches, I found exact replacements a www.digikey.com . I would only replace them if cleaning does not do anything at all.

 

[ScotSHO]

I have also found that if I let the player "suck" the CD in, it will do the clicking thing occasionally. If I help the CD in with a light push, it works good 99% of the time.

The cleaning got rid of most of my problems though.

 

[svtman]

Victorj,

I tried this fix as well - mine would not take or eject CD's sometimes. It did help a lot - now it will click sometimes, but will take the CD and play/eject it with minimal fuss. Follow the instructions carefully and it is a snap to do. Just watch when you take it apart to see how it must go back together - nothing complex, just that one switch must be held before it will go back together. And use the cleaner like no tomorrow!

 

[Frankiek3]

I had JBL with the two units, my CD part woundnt light up sometimes causing the system not to work.
Never clicked, but turning it on and off sometimes helped. I replaced it with an aftermarket one i had.
I still have it, so when i get the chance i will fix it and sell it.

 

[Mike Gallion]

A word of caution to those willing to attempt cleaning their microswitches. Use caution when selecting the cleaner to be used. Some 'electrical' parts cleaners contain chemicals that will turn certain types of plastic into goo on contact. (personal lesson from years back)
By no means am I trying to dissuade anyone from giving the switch cleaning a go, after all, it's pretty simple. Just be sure what you are using is safe for electronics. Good luck! thumb

 

[Victor J]

Thanks for all the replies. I had no idea it was so easy to get out of the dash. I thought it was going to be a nightmare when I noticed there were no screws at the ends of the holes in the front.

 

[Off Road SHO]

I just tried the cleaning on mine and the faceplate ribbon cable came out of its' socket on the player. Could not get it to go back in and eventually we bent one pin in the socket and two on the cable. Anyone want a worthless piece of trash Sony CD player?

Tom