CD autochanger not working

[ianwayne]

My Chimaera still has the original Pioneer KEH-P4800 with 6 CD autochanger in the boot, and it was all working fine until yesterday.

The autochanger doesn't work and the reject button fails to eject the magazine. I suspect a fuse but the owner's handbook doesn't even identify a fuse for the stereo itself! The head unit works fine but I'm not sure the autochanger would have it's own fuse. Aside from stripping it down, am I missing something?

Edit: Should have mentioned the autochanger is CDX-P650. I have the original manuals for the head unit but only an installation instruction for the autochanger, so I don't even know which pin to check for a 12V supply:



I've noticed that for probably 14 years the angle switch dampers were set to horizontal when the changer is vertical on top of the fuel tank. No wonder it jumped on bumps.

Edited by ianwayne on Friday 4th April 21:35

[ukdj]

When mine stopped working just like yours I traced it back to a blown fuse in an inline fuse holder behind the dash clocks, so it may be a dash top off to find it!

Worth checking that you have +12v and earth to the unit first though just in case

Regards

UKDJ

[ianwayne]

I'm guessing that the multi pin connector is the data link and that the 3 pin connector has the 12V supply. Will test with a meter in the morning.

I suppose I could dig out some old cassettes because I really don't want to strip the dash until I have to!

Edit: Been in the boot again this morning, only 2 of the 3 pins are used and there is a constant 12V supply to the autochanger. Damn. Looks like it's kippered. Time to get the instrument screwdrivers out, there's CDs in there I want back.

Edited by ianwayne on Saturday 5th April 09:17

[ukdj]

Did you check that you had a good earth to the CD changer too?

if you used a known good earth to test the +12volt instead of the one in the three pin plug this may still be the cause?

Regards

UKDJ

[ianwayne]

Supply was fine. Even plugged it in partly disassembled, 12V supply on cct board. Seized mechanism somewhere.

I tried to take it apart gently at first but in the end, since the mechanism was jammed with a CD in the play position, I had to rip it to bits to get the magazine and CDs out. C'est la vie. Still got cassettes in the loft and anyway, the engine soundtrack is OK for now.

[Philup]

Alternatively you could try a Cassette adapter that lets you plug in your iPhone or whatever. I got mine from http://www.miniinthebox.com/audio-line-in-cassette...
£2.76 including postage...

[TV8]

ianwayne said:

Supply was fine. Even plugged it in partly disassembled, 12V supply on cct board. Seized mechanism somewhere.

I tried to take it apart gently at first but in the end, since the mechanism was jammed with a CD in the play position, I had to rip it to bits to get the magazine and CDs out. C'est la vie. Still got cassettes in the loft and anyway, the engine soundtrack is OK for now.

I think mine is still fitted in the boot and used to work ok. Is there much involved in getting it out? If not, you can have it if you want?

[ianwayne]

Mine was held in by four bolts. I've actually remounted it but it's now an empty metal box with Panasonic written on it. The mounting plates are bolted to the back panel just above the fuel tank. I'll take pics in daylight in the morning. Problem is that with my prodding and poking at it with the lid off to try and get it to work, I have now lost the 12V supply.

The radio / casette head unit still works fine so there must be an inline fuse supply somewhere to fix now. Another poster reckons it was behind the dash and I expect that'll be the case.

[ianwayne]

This is how the autochanger is mounted in the boot, 2 bolts either side:





One of the reasons for them failing I reckon is that despite the rubber flap glued to it by TVR, when you open the boot on anything but a dry day, water on the underside of the boot lip pours straight onto it!