Expert: Cleggsan - 4/7/2010

Question
I have a 2003 VW Passat sedan 4-Motion.  It has a Monsoon audio system inside.  My cd player displays "Error 1" and won't play any cd's.  It will however receive and eject any cd.  What is wrong and how to fix it?  I am wondering if I purchase a 6-cd changer for the trunk if the cd's will play from there.  I know the cd doesn't transfer from the trunk to the front cd system.

Answer
One of the most critical elements in a cd or dvd player mechanism is the laser diode. This little electronic gadget fits into an optical pickup assembly and is driven by the electronic controlling mechanism to read the micro-miniature pits on the disc which become the program material. Normally these last for a long time and eventually lose their sensitivity.  But, they are actually a semiconductor device and follow a yield pattern during manufacture that is not totally predictable. Hence, many of them don't last as long as they are projected to do so.  When they become weak they no longer bring back the digital data from the disc surface.

The error reported by your player could very well be from this laser diode becoming weak. It could also be from the electronic circuits which drive it from going bad.  The cure involves replacing the entire optical pickup assembly - which is quite expensive.

Of course there are also strange and not obvious problems that can occur as well: Loose wires, corroded terminals, cold solder joints and so on.

So, either it requires testing and technical repair - or replacement (which is often less expensive)!

You mentioned the possibility of adding the Monsoon changer to your vehicle.  You can find one at this site (among other sources):

http://www.oemautosound.com/pc-142-176-volkswagen-cd-changer-all-systems.aspx

I suspect the repair of your present system would cost about as much as the price of the changer.  In any event to make the repair you will need to work with a competent VW auto sound specialist or technician.  There are few car dealers who have such people on staff so you will need to find an independent shop that can do this kind of work.

Let me know if you have further thoughts.