Expert: Cleggsan - 10/8/2011

Question
I had my Clarion Pro series CD repaired. Pick up malfunction. $200.00. Now unit rejects Cd 6 to 10 times before reading, or says it cannot read disc. Also it has a hard time accepting or re-ejecting disc.All disc play on other units. When it does play it functions well. I am good at assemblies but lack knowledge in certain areas.I would like to keep this unit as the whole truck has been wired for this many out puts which is hard to find on newer units.Sorry for lac of unit info. On days off - unit 2200 ks. away. Have nothing to louse at this point.Would it be chaise alignment/need new eye/ improper reassembly. I will be repairing myself or throwing it out. Any info would be GREATLY appreciated.

Answer
My first guess would be the alignment of the laser diode has not been done correctly - or not optimized.  It requires a special test recording and oscilloscope to do it according to most manuals.  But, you did not give me the model number so I cannot guess which one you have.

Some experts can adjust manually by trial and error using known discs and tweaking a few of them over a period of time until they get it just right.  

This site may be of help to you:

http://www.repairfaq.org/sam/cdfaq.htm

Also, you should be able to take it back to the service company that replaced the head and ask them to realine it.

Good Luck.

PS: If you do your own adjustment attempts, you should obtain the service manual to get some guidance.