Troubleshoot your CD player.
Having a CD player in one's automobile is essential to many drivers. Listening to a favorite CD can make a long drive seem just that much shorter. A malfunctioning CD player, however, can be the cause of great distress. Before calling customer service or buying a whole new stereo unit, attempt to troubleshoot the problem on your own.
Instructions
Troubleshoot an Automotive CD Player
1. Listen for the sound of the motor trying discharge your CD if your disc will not eject. If the motor makes a whirring noise, see if there might be a loose belt or a gear loose on the motor shaft. You may need to replace the loose parts because they are most likely damaged. If you don't hear any noise from the motor, then the motor, the control chip or the front panel pushbutton may be faulty and will need replacement (or you might just want to consider getting a whole new unit at this point).
2. Clean the CD player if your CDs continually skip or you receive error messages. You can purchase a laser lens cleaning product, sold at most auto repair stores or car stereo businesses, to remove dust and dirt from the interior of your CD player. The cleaner looks like a regular CD and is placed in the CD player. Once inserted, press "Play" on the CD player and allow the disc to go through its cleaning cycle. It should take about 5 minutes. See if this solvsd your problem by testing out a few CDs.
3. Check that there is power to the CD player if nothing happens when you try to use it. Remember that your car must be turned on for the CD player to work. Ensure that the stereo power is pushed on and that the volume button is not turned all the way down. If this does not solve your problem, you may have a blown fuse. The fuse box on most cars is located behind the front panel of the vehicle's cabin, usually near the glove compartment or at knee level on the driver's side. If you have difficulty locating it, consult your owner's manual. There is also a chance that your stereo has come to the end of its lifespan. Most cars outlive their stereo systems and new ones are purchased at any car audio store or online.
4. Check to make sure your CD is not damaged or dirty and that it has been inserted correctly if the CD will not play. CDR and CD/RW discs (copied discs) can also be the cause of the problem, especially if the CDR is cheap. In addition, if the disc was burned too quickly, or the copier had not finalized the CD, the CD may not play in your unit.
5. Unplug the power cord and plug it back in if your CD player is displaying an error message that is not documented in the owner's manual. Static discharge may be causing a system lockup. In order to reach the power cord, you will need to remove the stereo. Refer to your owner's manual for tips on do this. How you remove the stereo from the the dashboard will depend upon the type of stereo system and the make and model of your car. See Resources for information on take the stereo out of your particular vehicle.
Tags: owner manual, your player, Automotive Player, front panel, power cord, remove stereo, that your
