Expert: Cleggsan - 7/17/2010

Question
I have a RCA RS 2015 cd/cassette/radio system. The radio and cassette work fine, but the CD player won't open on it's own. I used the instructions for the RS2010 at http://www.retrevo.com/support/RCA-RS2010-manual/id/19240ci964/t/2/If I pull out the tray and put in a cd, it looks like it is trying to play, but it doesn't spin. Could it be a fuse, circut board, or what? Can something like this be fixed and where do I look for a person to fix it? What catagory in the phone book? I am in upper NY on the woods, so I haven't a clue what kind of place to ask? (I'd like to repair it if I can as I sometimes DO play a cassette tape, and having that option in a stereo these days is rare) Thanks for any advice!!Pat

Answer
Audio repair shops are about.  If there is a Bestbuy around they may have a tech who can repair it.  Also, most better tv repair shops can handle these kinds of investigations.   Your manual should have an 800 number which will get you to someone who is in your area, also.

Yes, I like retrevo.com also and you should find the 800 number in that manual.

To find a repair shop, why not google for audio repair in your town or region?  Have you tried that?

The problem with the set is likely associated with the controller IC which handles the tray and other mechanisms.  The servo drive motor may be controlled by that same IC.  Failure to read the disc can be caused by a weak laser diode, a badly aligned optical pickup assembly, defective DAC converter, etc....  It really requires testing in order to know what has failed.

Here is the bad news: Repairs are often more costly than replacement of the cd player.  In your case you may want to just purchase a portable cd player, place it on the top of the RS2015 and connect it in to the aux input jacks.

You can purchase cd players for $10.00 and up.

Hope this will help you find a solution.