my alpine hu sometimes does not read cds

My Alpine CDA-9855 sometimes does not read CDs when I go to eject a CD. It hardly ever happens, but when it does, it's pretty aggravating!

It can start with something as simple as changing sources, and then changing back to 'CD'. It'll show the  track # and the spot where I left it (eg: 1:34) for a BRIEF second, then it'll display 'No CD' or whatever.

Sometimes it'll start working again after changing sources back and forth a couple of times, but it has never done this for more than a couple of minutes.

Has anyone had similar issues? Can I maybe use a lense cleaning CD in the player?

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2013 Kia Rio -90a alternator
DDX470HD GTO14001 GTO1014D (x3)
Big3 in 1/0G
1/0G to GTO14001

Although is a pretty reliable product it is not immune from defects. Over the years I have seen many defects of name brand products. It sound like you need to send you HU back to Alpine or replace it unless you willing to deal with the hassle

The unit is pretty old (an '05 model), and I got it second hand, so I doubt it'll be under warantee of any kind.

I know someone here has experience with Alpine units as far as simple repairs go (cough, cough), so I figured I'd ask.

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2013 Kia Rio -90a alternator
DDX470HD GTO14001 GTO1014D (x3)
Big3 in 1/0G
1/0G to GTO14001

J, do not put one of those cleaner disks in your unit.  They cause more harm.  I have seen only 2 CD lasers that needed cleaning, both came out of a DJ booth and were coated with nicotine.  If you do insist on cleaning it, take the cover off and look for the lens, if you can see it, use a q-tip and some isopropyl alcohol to clean it.  I really doubt that it is dirty, but more than likely the pickup is failing.  See if it plays better upside down.  Seriously.

My PM box always has room for messages. 

/\ PM'd

I wanted to post it here incase someone else has had similar experiences/ end results.

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2013 Kia Rio -90a alternator
DDX470HD GTO14001 GTO1014D (x3)
Big3 in 1/0G
1/0G to GTO14001

As per your PM yes the pickup will continue to drop untill it will no longer work. Gravity is the enemy.  A vertically mounted CD changer will outlast a horizontally mounted changer 2 or 3 to 1.  I still see vertically mounted changers mounted changers that are 15 years old that still work.  Ideally if you could turn your radio upside down every other day, it should extend the life of the pickup.  There are 2 tiny shock a bsoorbers that hold the lens in place, gravity eventually overcomes the strength of the shock absorbers and the litlle motor that raises and lowers the lens to allow it to focus loses the ability to move the lens.

Sounds good. (not really LoL)

Thanks!

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2013 Kia Rio -90a alternator
DDX470HD GTO14001 GTO1014D (x3)
Big3 in 1/0G
1/0G to GTO14001

After reading this, I turned everything in my house upside-down.

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Build the box so that it performs well in the worst case scenario and, in return, it will reward you at all times.

Believe it or not, in the early days of automotive CD players, Pioneer sent out a repair bulletin to help troubleshoot a failing pickup.  It in not so many words told you to turn the unit upside down, if it played like that but would not play in the proper position, the pickup needed to be replaced.

stevdart wrote:

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After reading this, I turned everything in my house upside-down.

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LoL

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2013 Kia Rio -90a alternator
DDX470HD GTO14001 GTO1014D (x3)
Big3 in 1/0G
1/0G to GTO14001

i am an idiot wrote:

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Believe it or not, in the early days of automotive CD players, Pioneer sent out a repair bulletin to help troubleshoot a failing pickup.  It in not so many words told you to turn the unit upside down, if it played like that but would not play in the proper position, the pickup needed to be replaced.

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Back when I was younger and the original Playstation was the shiz-nit, we would have to turn the unit vertical in order for it to read scratched- up discs.

It makes sense.

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2013 Kia Rio -90a alternator
DDX470HD GTO14001 GTO1014D (x3)
Big3 in 1/0G
1/0G to GTO14001

jmelton86 wrote:

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i am an idiot wrote:

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Believe it or not, in the early days of automotive CD players, Pioneer sent out a repair bulletin to help troubleshoot a failing pickup.  It in not so many words told you to turn the unit upside down, if it played like that but would not play in the proper position, the pickup needed to be replaced.

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Back when I was younger and the original Playstation was the shiz-nit, we would have to turn the unit vertical in order for it to read scratched- up discs.

It makes sense.

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Haha, I remember those days.

As to the Alpine not reading all the time, I have a Jenson in dash DVD hu that did that for awhile, now it just doesnt read any discs. Although i have not tried it upside down. It was a cheap deck that came in a car i bought and it still reads usb, SD, and anything on the rca inputs so i just use it as a winter car hu.

But im gonna try it upside down just out of curiousity......

It hasn't happend in over a week.

-continues to cross fingers-

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2013 Kia Rio -90a alternator
DDX470HD GTO14001 GTO1014D (x3)
Big3 in 1/0G
1/0G to GTO14001