Sorry Greensheep but I really wouldn't advise using a CD lens cleaner, they are an abrasive on the laser and if there is something on the lens you run the risk of scratching the laser and completely destroying it. If it's clicking then it sounds like a physical thing and not laser error but you can never tell.
If your feeling competant then take it out, power it up and listen again and if your feeling super competant take the lid of and look but this only good if you've got an idea of what's meant to be going on.
If still no joy then give it to someone who's qualified to fix em, worth the money in the long run.

Avast ye! Oh well, thanks guys, looks like a trip to the experts may be in order. I may just use this as an excuse to go for a new head unit anyway - something with an iPod interface




~supe

Right ok, for the sake of this becoming an argument over a matter of opinion, I will stand corrected, and maybe I should even start looking for another job!

I don't have a problem with people correcting me, as constructiuve critiscism is undoubtedly, err 'constructive'........ what I DO have a problem with though, is people completely stripping my reply and making it sound like i'm a complete idiot. That, in my opinion wasn't needed at all.

"With regards to the hazards, I've not heard of a single case of anyone been injured by a Class 1 CD laser - have you? As long as you don't look directly inline with the beam (rather difficult, or rather impossible, with a CD in) then it's not an issue either way. "

If this is the case, then ALL cd/dvd players, playstations etc etc wouldn't come with a big yellow warning sticker attached to said item notifying the user of this exact issue. And before someone tells me it's to cover the companies back in the event of any missuse of said item, it wouldn't be there if it wasn't needed.

I too have never heard of anyone being 'injured' by this kind of product (which is NOT what I was saying in the first instance), but I HAVE heard of things being damaged (and yes this unfortunately includes experience of peoples eyesight being affected) as a result of indirect laser contact (ie: reflected particles), with or without a cd in the unit. I was merely protecting any interest that Superfluity has in his health.

And more to the point "Do you take your car to the garage every time something's wrong? Or do you like to work out for yourself what might be wrong and attempt a fix? Nobody ever learnt anything by paying for someone else to do the work...."

I would ALWAYS 'consider' looking into the fault with my own initiative and as far as my own competence allows, but under NO CIRCUMSTANCES what so ever, would I attempt to rectify something I had no knowledge of. Period. That's exactly the reason why we have specialists and experts in this world to help resolve the issues that, as a normal human being, we cannot. People spend a lot of time and money training and learning, and if there wasn't a need for these services, then a lot of people with the knowledge/experience and equipment would be out of work.

Enough said, I'll mind my replies in future. Personal gripe over with..................

Calm down man - forums are for discussion and debate.. chill with it!

The warning label you mentioned is not actually there for back-covering as it's mandated by legislation. Class 1 lasers are not known to cause injury (read for yourself at as an authoritive source) however as it also confirms some CD players will use a higher power laser. However, there are various physical and logical interlocks in place that prevent you from staring into the laser - one being the requirement for a disc present (and thus covering the laser aperture) before full power is emitted. Hence, yes, if you dismantled the unit and removed the laser and connected it to your own driver you could potentially do some damage but that's not what's being proposed here.

If you're not already aware of it, Sam Goldwasser's CD repair guide is an excellent source of info for this kind of work - and indeed he even discusses the dangers (or not) of CD laser exposure ().

Don't take my comments as personal criticism, I'm just debating a technical issue based on my experience as an electronics engineer.

Mathew

[Edit: At the aforementioned FAQ I've found a section on lens cleaning - if that's of any use. It even discusses the common-mode failure of Sony pickups being the (dirty) reflecting mirror]

Sorry MJ, wasn't meant to tear a strip off - Have had a rather particularly nasty day and took everything the wrong way....... something to do with my own insecurities I fear!! ha ha

Anywayz, your critiscism IS highly valued to one who takes it constructively, how else am I going to become the all seeing all doing master Installer...... ha ha

Apologies once again for loosing the plot and taking up far too much room on this thread by stamping my feet and throwiing a tantrum.

Not a problem. Indeed I should've also said forums are for occasionally losing the plot too...

Incidentally, I didn't know you were an installer - do you also sell the kit too? Perhaps that might explain a forgivable aversion to recommending repairing things rather than buying new!

Mathew

Well cleaning it didn't seem to do much. I may start looking for a new headunit.


As an aside, what is odd is that when the car is cold (say first thing in the morning) I can put a CD in (any CD) and it'll play fine first time, and continue playing. As soon as I then turn the ignition off and try again (when the engine's been running) it wont play. Equally, if I leave the car parked in the sun for a while and then get and try to play a CD, it's a no go again. Could it be a heat issue?

Certainly sounds like the heat is affecting the operation which could be caused by anything from a dry joint to a dodgy chip but at this stage it now seems like it won't be fixed by anyone here coming up with a simple suggestion i'm afraid. You've done the basic thing your able try by cleaning the lens the next step would require tools, time, maybe a circuit diagram and a can of freeze spray.

If its knackered, look inside, spend no more than say 2 hours.

If you cant see/fix the problem.go to your preferred ICE shop and get a new unit

Stereo prices are very cheap now, not worth paying a sparky to investigate or repair

Pete