C5 - loading 12 disc CD changer cartridge.
Discussion
I don't think I've seen this posted as a tip but maybe no-one else has problems. I learnt to load the discs in the changer the "wrong" way up but time and again I would find the loaded discs still refused to play. I'd have to pull in to the side of the road, eject and reload the cartridge and then the discs would play. Eventually I tracked down the issue!
When the cartridge is inserted the player shuffles through all 12 discs to check they're correctly loaded. If so it works - If not it doesn't. But shuffling through 12 discs takes quite a bit of time. I was inserting the cartridge, then getting in the car and starting the engine while the player was shuffling through the discs. It seems that when you engage the starter all accessory power is shut off to allow max current for the starter motor. Hence the CD changer is shut off for a couple of seconds along with everything else. When the power is re-connected the changer finds itself in the wrong status, decides there's a problem with the cartridge loading and refuses to play. (There's nothing about this in the owner's manual.
It's simple once you know!
When the cartridge is inserted the player shuffles through all 12 discs to check they're correctly loaded. If so it works - If not it doesn't. But shuffling through 12 discs takes quite a bit of time. I was inserting the cartridge, then getting in the car and starting the engine while the player was shuffling through the discs. It seems that when you engage the starter all accessory power is shut off to allow max current for the starter motor. Hence the CD changer is shut off for a couple of seconds along with everything else. When the power is re-connected the changer finds itself in the wrong status, decides there's a problem with the cartridge loading and refuses to play. (There's nothing about this in the owner's manual.
It's simple once you know!
Never had a problem here. Suspect that's probably because I still use the same tapes I had in my Fiesta back in 1983 ! Never went to CDs in my cars because they always skip when I'm driving 
Might get an MP3 player (if they catch on, its still too early to tell). No moving parts is a good idea for me !
Might get an MP3 player (if they catch on, its still too early to tell). No moving parts is a good idea for me !
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