Car CD player rejects discs

[washing machine]

Quick hardware question here:

I installed a JVC deck into my Corolla about four years ago, and it's never really given me trouble until the last six months or so. In the recent past, when I insert a CD, it might make a quick grinding noise and give me a "cannot read" error. If I re-insert, the CD usually plays okay.

Flash forward to today and I'm running into a much bigger issue. I'll hear a much more aggressive grinding sound when I insert the CD, followed by an ejection. I've tried this with multiple CDs, and I've even tried turning the deck off and back on, but nothing fixes this. It's as if the device is suddenly allergic to compact discs.

Help!

[tommymtcom]

Are they burned cds? Have you tried mp3 cds?

[tragabigzanda]

"Clout is the values-free currency of the always-online age — both a substitute for hard cash as well as a conduit to it. Clout is a calculus not of what you do, but of how much bulk you-ness there is in the world. You get clout by playing the victim. You get clout by victimizing others. This is something that is understood by the left and the right. If influence sways, clout squats, taking up space for its own sake."

[washing machine]

These are regulation CDs, tommy. A few are second-hand purchases from used cd stores, but at least one I tried today was a 2016 release.

[washing machine]

You can get a disc cleaner CD. It has a little brush on it, and some models ask you to drop a little solution on the brush. If that puppy doesn't clean out any offending debris, then your problem is most likely mechanical and not worth further research.

I'm hoping to solve this problem without spending much money. I wonder if there are any home remedy type solutions I could whip up with vinegar and a blank CD or something that would work just as easily?

[Greedo]

You can get a disc cleaner CD. It has a little brush on it, and some models ask you to drop a little solution on the brush. If that puppy doesn't clean out any offending debris, then your problem is most likely mechanical and not worth further research.

I'm hoping to solve this problem without spending much money. I wonder if there are any home remedy type solutions I could whip up with vinegar and a blank CD or something that would work just as easily?

Life hacks! Here you go:

1. Any crappy Audio CD (burned or whatever).

2. Super glue (A glue stick might work, but I was hesitant to use one as the material might not hold as well and fall off into the player).

3. Cotton ball, Felt material, or in my case, PEC pads (used for cleaning sensitive electronics like a digital camera CMOS sensor). If you are using a cotton ball, just glue the ball onto the CD, then pull and leave some cotton adhered to the CD (it should work the same).

Preparation:

First, cut a thin strip of the material you plan on using on the CD. I made mine about 2/8″ wide, and cut to the length of the CD.

Application:

Just draw a thin line of super glue on the CD. Next, Glue the strip onto the CD and cut off the excess. It should look like this.



Here is a closeup view of the material on the CD. I checked the clearance of the CD Laser assmembly to the CD to be around 1/8″ (the distance of the gap between the laser element and CD). So I left roughly that amount of material hanging off the CD.



I stuck the CD into my cars in-dash CD player and heard the disc spinning for a few seconds, then the player ejected it. I repeated this a few times and then tried an audio CD. Played right up! Simple, cheap, and effective…just not as elegant and pretty as the ones sold in stores.

**Update** – After two days of using my cars cd player. I can honestly say that this cd lens cleaner works like a charm. My player used to error out when I would start the car after ending work, and I would need to pop the cd back into the player several times before the cd player would read the disc. Now the player reads the disc from the point where I turned off the car.

**Disclaimer**
Do this at your own risk. I assume no liability for any damages done to your equipment.

[tommymtcom]

Stick a paper clip in there and wiggle it around a bit

[washing machine]

Guys, I resolved this issue.

Previously, I would insert the CD while the deck was on the USB, AUX or Bluetooth setting. By programming my deck to the FM setting before inserting the disc, I can get the CD to play like normal.

"With just the slightest bit of finesse, I might have made a little less mess." -REM, "Discoverer"

[tragabigzanda]

"Clout is the values-free currency of the always-online age — both a substitute for hard cash as well as a conduit to it. Clout is a calculus not of what you do, but of how much bulk you-ness there is in the world. You get clout by playing the victim. You get clout by victimizing others. This is something that is understood by the left and the right. If influence sways, clout squats, taking up space for its own sake."

[Norah]

Guys, I resolved this issue.

Previously, I would insert the CD while the deck was on the USB, AUX or Bluetooth setting. By programming my deck to the FM setting before inserting the disc, I can get the CD to play like normal.

"With just the slightest bit of finesse, I might have made a little less mess." -REM, "Discoverer"

Why don't you just use the AUX input with a digital audio player instead of CDs?

[tommymtcom]

Because he's Reid

[Norah]

no one asked you

[washing machine]

Things like Bill Callahan and The Silver Jews aren't available on the streaming services that I use.

[Whitey McTeeth]

Try reasoning with it.

[spike]

CDs make great drink coasters.

[Sgt. Crackpot]

What is this, a board for old fogies?

[Sgt. Crackpot]

Oh wait, it is

[spike]

i wonder what kind of in dash record player eddie vedder has