I've tried a few different searches and came up with nothing. The CD player in my stock ('00) head unit has been skipping more and more recently. The slightest bump makes it jump whereas before it was almost bulletproof.

Also, either because of bumps or loud volume, it can now skip so much that it stops. Sometime it comes back if I change track and sometimes it dosen't and I have either to take the CD out and put it back in or even turn it off....

Has anybody else had this problem and how was it fixed?

Thanks,


Guy

 

try using a cleaner CD in the HU. this could easily be caused by accumulated dust on the lens of the laser.

cleaner CD's generally can be found in music stores, and often have a small soft brush that runs over the laser lens for a few seconds. if you were anywhere near me, i'd loan you mine.

 

Thanks Phil,

I tried that last night (trice) with a Maxell CD cleaner (with the brushes) made specifically for car head units and it seems to have helped, but as soon as the music gets loud there the MF goes again! Skip and stop so I have to change track or do the in & out thing...

Guy

 

as soon as the music gets loud?



i missed that before... do you have some kind of monster sub system in there that's causing the skipping? or is it just skipping that easily?

honestly, if it's just skipping that easily and you've tried cleaning it? you may just be SOL. do you happen to smoke?


the only thing i can think that might be user servicable that's left for you to do -- if you can open up the case and see the laser, you could take a q-tip and some rubbing alcohol and clean the lens... otherwise, i'd either start shopping a new HU or find someone who has an OEM junker that they're willing to part w/ for cheap.

 

No sub, don't smoke; I have a stock system but I replaced the speakers with JBLs, which don't really add that much bass....

The intriguing thing though, is that now that I have cleaned the HU, the CD no longer skips for pot holes, but just for the high volume parts

SOL seems to be the appropriate expression!

Guy

 

hrm.... i was expecting a smoker w/ a filthy oily lens on the CD player. cigarette smoke leaves the nastiest films on everything, and they don't usually clean easily.

given that it's just JBL speakers and the OEM HU, i'm getting a big red flag. something doesn't seem right. perhaps you were having 2 distinctly different scenarios? a skipping from vibration/dirt, and some sort of failing electronics so when the power pull is highest, you're blipping out (vs skipping)?

i'm guessing now... you're outside of my realm of long distance troubleshooting expertise. double check all your connections, check the ground, blah blah blah.

either way, a nice new Alpine HU will probably make those JBL's sing....

 

I'm not really that much into car audio, but is there a Alpine HU that is compatible with our remote, left hand, controls?

Guy

 

quick answer? no, no aftermarket HU is directly compatible w/ our dash controls.


more detailed answer?
there are several options that can be purchased independantly which will allow you to use your dash controls w/ aftermarket (including Alpine) head units.
check the FAQ stickied at the top of the Electronics forum. in the 'general' section, there is a specific question with tons of info addressing your concern.