Autochanger aggro

[vee5]

The glovebox mounted 6 disc OE autochanger in my V5 seems to have a problem recognising some CDs. When I load the cassette I check that all the CDs are the correct way up and are properly inserted but the HU normally displays an eror message like "CD error" or "no CD" for 2 or 3 of the CDs (especially nbr 2 for some reason).

This is starting to drive me mad and I dont really want the expense of changing the unit - any ideas on whether this is fixable?

BTW I'm using original CDs, not onces I've burnt.

 

[BJM]

How old is your unit? I've heard of this happening on some of the older units but usually with copy CD's. Have you tried the reset button (IIRC below where the cd cassette goes - push with a pen) or upluggng it from the Head Unit then reattaching it?

 

[jiege01]

get a lazer cleaning disc, lazer might be dirty

 

[Cupra Kid]

My cd changer in the cordoba does exactly the same thing, Usually with disc 5 & 6. I have ran a lens cleaner through it but unfortunately there has been do difference.

 

[Deleted member 5241]

These are crap and do fail after a while. The autochanger is really expensive through SEAT and AFAIK can't be replaced with an aftermarket one. One option is to replace the whole thing including the HU with something like an Alpine for about £140 + surrounds as the new one is slightly smaller.

 

[vee5]

Cupra kid, have you tried what BJM suggested yet? For various reasons I wont be able to try this for a few days and I'm interested to know it works for you as it sounds like we have the same problem

 

[Cupra Kid]

I'll run a lens cleaner through it and reset it today and let you know

 

[thesonny]

This happened on my old sony 10 disc changer, the anti-skip protection broke, and then it confused itself when it tried to use it and turned off. Nothing to be done if that is the case.

 

[Cupra Kid]

I have tried resetting the unit with no effect, however i did run a lens cleaner through 10 times and it seems to be a little better now

 

[Rog.]

Got the same problem on mine - it's really intolerant of discs with the slightest amount of dirt/dust/fingerprints on them. It also doesn't like CDs with CD-TEXT, although the (Aura) head unit plays them with no bother at all. Sometimes if it doesn't like one disc, the whole thing will freeze up and display 'error' until you take the magazine out and stuff it back in again.

 

[Cupra Kid]

I noticed something about mine the other day, when its very cold it gets worse, i have for the last few days had my cd changer constantly wrapped in my coat and it hasnt done a thing wrong since, maybe its condensation on the laser or something

 

[Steveo1977]

How old is the Car? I had mine do exactly the same thing. Took it back to SEAT under warranty. Swapped the whole autochanger unit for free.

This tends to occur if you use copy cd's in them I noticed!

Before I did that I checked out a few forums and a common answer is to try getting a new magazine. Ebay had some for about £15.

The other alternative is to replace the whole autochanger after warranty expires.

 

[vee5]

Just bin into a local independent auto elctricians and they said they knew the problem of not reading CDs only too well. Aparently the autochanger is made by Alpine but VAG knocked Alpine down on the price, so the transport is built to a very low spec.

The guy I spoke to reckons it can be fixed via a rebuild using better components for around a ton. Sounds like the best bet to me as I'm hacked off with not having all 6 CDs available - anyone else had any experience of this rebuild?

 

[healy6660]

I know this may be a little late guys but have you tried cleaning the plastic covers on the disc selector forks
take out the cassette and look inside, you'll see 2 pieces of white plastic
get some solvent cleaner (like from a tape head cleaning kit) put it on a cotton bud then reach inside and clean the plastic covers on the fingers
apparently this is a big problem with these changers and the most common cause of this error message
worked a treat on the brother in laws and he now does it every 3 months or so no problems yet!

 

[TllEWL]

Aparently the autochanger is made by Alpine but VAG knocked Alpine down on the price...

Rubbish (not doubting you, but the guy you spoke to is blagging it)


Not the Leon/Toledo one anyway ... they even have stickers on the back saying made by Matsushita (Panasonic)


Ton sounds a bit dear for a rebuild too, but I'm not about to offer it cheaper cos I know what a PITA they are to re-assemble - and I'm in no position to offer a warranty



Best advice - as above - is keep it clean

 

[vee5]

Thanks for the advice - I'll try cleaning the forks as described , esp. as it will only cost 0.0001p for the cotton bud!

 

[vee5]

Cleaned the white plastic bits as suggested: hey presto - the autochanger now reads all the CDs!
Thanx for the top tip, esp as it saved me a ton !!