5 Disc CD player skipping

I recently acquired an old Sony 5-disc player (CDP-CE315) and it unfortunately has been skipping quite a bit. It will frequently track backwards anywhere from 30-60 seconds, sometimes at roughly the same location. This also happens when fast forwarding. I've tried different CDs and it still happens regardless.

Seems to me like maybe something wrong with lens movement. I've taken the unit apart and cleaned the lens and greased what appears to be the gears that move the lens with a spray can of white lithium grease. At first it appeared to be working alright, and then the next day went back to the same problem.

I would certainly appreciate any advice on how to repair this. I'd hate to toss it.

 

Probably either a dying laser, or bad electrolytics. Those '90s surface mount capacitors are notorious for going faulty.

 

Time to go thrift shopping.

Unit is not worth repairing.

 

Exactly. I'm sure there's dozens of fully working CD changers in thrift shops across TX.

I'm always jealous of the US thrift scene. Where I live, the charity shops only sell old crockery and dead people's clothes.

 

Shame to hear. Oh well. Thanks for letting me know.

 

The laser lens could also be out of alignment.....
I don't know if they are worth getting serviced at this point or not, is may be other issues as well.
As suggested, time to go thrift shopping, and keep an eye out for some backups.
I've got about 4 Sony/Technics players as backups that all have worked fine through testing.
Only paid about 10 - 20 bucks for each of them.

 

For future reference spraying any kind of grease inside a CDP is a very bad idea and white lithium grease has no business in there either. Use Molykote EM-30L, which is a synthetic grease.

 

Good to know, thanks for the heads up

 

Older units have trim pots for focus gain, tracking gain and eye pattern. You really need a scope for
proper alignment but as a last resort you can diddle the pots and you might get lucky.
Mark their current position before tweaking though.
Cleaning the sled rails and lubricating is common maintenence to prevent binding and promote
smooth operation of the sled. Lithium grease is very slippery and works fine.
I agree, never spray anything in a CD player. Use a Q tip for proper application.