CD Player Help wanted

[longwool]

Any technical hi-fi bods on here that could give me some advice/help. I have a Sony CD (Hi-Fi seperate) player. It has developed a very annoying fault. Switch on and put a disc in and all is well. However after playing the CD for 4 or 5 tracks it dies and reads No Disc.
Is this something that can be corrected or is it on its last legs and ready for the hi-fi heaven?
Any help advice you can give would be much appreciated, I would prefer not to buy a new one before Christmas..........there might be something cheaper in the sales!

[Mikey G]

How old is it?
Have you ever cleaned the lense?
Does it get hot?

As you say could be an age thing.. or try running a lense cleaner in it.

[longwool]

I haven't run a lens cleaner in it but thought that as it read the disc on start up that it wasn't likely to be a lens issue. It could be a heat thing as it happens after a period of time. Switching off at the power switch and restarting after a minute or so seems to work.........for another two or three short tracks :-(
I had hoped that, unlike me, it wasn't an age thing ;-)

[Pigeon]

Lens cleaners are a waste of time and money. Wet cleaning with IPA is the thing.

Then, while you've got it apart, put a drop so small it barely exists of light silicone oil on the shiny slide bar that the lens assembly moves back and forth on.

[telecat]

Don't know where you are Longwool but the problem sounds like either a Motor or connection problem on the Sled that carries the Laser. If the CD player cost over £300 then a repair could be a good idea. I have used the place below and they are very good. They do charge to look at the problem to cover costs but it is not bank breaking.

Audio Laboratories (Leeds) Hi-Fi Engineering Lab
Tel: [phone]
3 Kildare Ter, Leeds Yorkshire LS12 1DB

[longwool]

Thanks for the advice, will start with the lens cleaning option. As I live in Cornwall Leeds is not the most convenient place for a service.

[pmanson]

Pigeon said:

Lens cleaners are a waste of time and money. Wet cleaning with IPA is the thing.

Why would I want to pour my pint in my CD Player?




Sorry I know its "pour" but I couldn't resist it!

[matchless]

pmanson said:

Pigeon said: Lens cleaners are a waste of time and money. Wet cleaning with IPA is the thing. Why would I want to pour my pint in my CD Player? Sorry I know its "pour" but I couldn't resist it!

I think they mean "Isopropyl Alcohol"

matchless

[Pigeon]

telecat said:

Don't know where you are Longwool but the problem sounds like either a Motor or connection problem on the Sled that carries the Laser.

That is certainly possible, but I'd think not the most likely possibility. The sled assembly can lose its lubrication over the years and the resulting stiction then buggers up the tracking servo, hence the silicone oil. Also, dirty lens problems can often show up on outer tracks first because the effects of the CD running fractionally off true are larger further from the hub.