CED VideoDisc and Player Discussion

AwesomeAtheist · Joined: 31 Jul 2011 Posts: 15

hey, i just picked up my laser disc player and it wont play anything, it says play for a bit then automatically stops. it also makes a clicking noise (i believe the laser is moving choppy, but the laser can move fine.) if anyone can help me fix this problem let me know please.

Rixrex · Joined: 28 May 2004 Posts: 1222

By "just picked up" do you mean you just bought it?

I would think it is one of two things, either the load belt is worn out and slipping, or the clamping mechanism isn't clamping down on the disc strongly enough. A bad load belt can cause both problems. The load belt opens and closes the disc try, brings down the clamping mechanism and keeps the load tray away from the spinning disc so the laser can move into place. A lot of work for one belt.

Clicking sound can be the laser going to move into position but is being stopped by the dsic load tray not dropping out of postiion, and also this can be due to bad load belt. Also, when replacing load belt a good lube of moving parts is recommended.

You can also post this on LDDB forum to get more replies from those familiar with LD players, there is a repair board there:

http://forum.lddb.com/

AwesomeAtheist · Joined: 31 Jul 2011 Posts: 15

ya, i just bought it today, do you know how to identify that belt? so i can see about fixing it? I did leave a message on that board too, the more help i can get the better i think

Rixrex · Joined: 28 May 2004 Posts: 1222

Right, that's what I thought. It was sold for that reason, and the owner had no idea what to do, which is common.

To locate the belt, you 1st need to take the cover off. Then turn on the player and open the tray. You can close and open it a few times while watching near the front of the player under the tray. There should be a belt located on a small motor that connects to the gearing mechanisms that are opening and closing the tray

At the same time, you can try a disc and see what is making the clicking sound right off the bat.

Once you locate the belt, you may be able to replace it with the tray in open position by unplugging the player at that point. Sometimes you have to slide the tray out of the player completely. Look for some tabs or blocking device that stops the tray from falling out, you may have to remove these somehow.

If you can get the belt off okay, you can get replacement belt at electronics shop, but get one that's a little smaller so it will be snug. I've found that you can use an o-ring that you can get at auto parts or hardware store, if you match it to the belt thickness, and they work well.

You can lube the gears and tray with petroleum jelly, as it is inert and will not dry out. Or if you have lithium grease, use that. Clean the clamping pads as best you can too.

Rixrex · Joined: 28 May 2004 Posts: 1222

You're going to get some advice on the other site to dump the sony due to possible future expenses, but the solution above will not cost you much and could likely get it operation again. Then use it until it dies an honorable death.

I'm not a Pioneer snob like many other LD collectors, and have had all sorts of models. Sony players are fine for what they can do and a few of them are really very good.

7jlong · Joined: 01 Jun 2004 Posts: 187

Oh, Pioneer definitely had their fair share of lemons! My first player was the ghastly CLD-D504 which I bought new in '95. It was a cheap intro model - and it showed. The horrible turning mechanism for both-side play failed, as is common with the irritating "C-turn" system or whatever it was called.

I had a DVL-700 for a bit but gave it up when I secured a nearly-pristine Elite CLD-79. It has some typical Pioneer problems too (spindle motor, mostly), and someday I'll send it out to Bayview (respected LD service outfit), but for now it is still somewhat happy.

Point being: definitely give it a go on the Sony. Sure, they get low marks for LD design/execution sometimes, but if you get it going and have fun working on it and/or dealing with LD in general, consider it your intro player and - as Rixrex suggests - run it right into the ground. In the meantime, there is no shortage of opinions about other models to chase at the LDDB boards, from the mundane but reliable to the outrageous.

Have fun!

Rixrex · Joined: 28 May 2004 Posts: 1222

That's certainly true. I have Panasonic LX-1000u that beats any Pioneer elite player I ever owned. I also have two Sony MDP-V models, the very last they made and both are excellent.

The Pioneer CLD-D5xx series is notorious for the side change malfunction. It has to do with two small plastic pins on a device on the laser optics unit that guides the unit into proper position for the top carrying rods for playing side B. If one pin breaks or bends, then the unit is off and will not engage.

Typically Pioneer side change devices are complex, with many moving parts and require the laser to actually ride up an "elevator" where the laser flips over 180 degrees to point the optics downward. That's why Pioneer has that large box protrusion on the back.

Both Sony and Panasonic have much simpler and more reliable designs. Both are U-shaped tracks where the laser simply rides the U-turn in the back and naturally is pointing downward. Sony has a U-track that the laser is actually attached to within the laser unit body. Panasonic has a U-track that the laser rides upon. Both are probably patented and hence Pioneer had to develop a different type of changeover.

AwesomeAtheist · Joined: 31 Jul 2011 Posts: 15

hey, so i tired finding the belt, and i believe i have found it, and it is working fine. i checked all other belts and they are moving. the clicking sound is the laser assembly, and one other issue i found is that when trying to play a cd in the player, the cd itself is elevated, but the top is not always clamped (there's a piece that go down on to the top of the cd to secure it). Do you guys have any suggestions on what the problem could be?

Rixrex · Joined: 28 May 2004 Posts: 1222

It still could be a weak belt. Probably the laser unit is clicking because it cannot move past the tray which has not dropped down enough or the spindle and laser assembly hasn't raised enough (most likely on your model), or past another blockage that hasn't cleared out of the way because the belt isn't taught enough to do it. The clicking is it trying to move forward on the geared track I suspect.

Quite often you will see the belt work well enough to open and close the tray, but it cannot close the clamping mechanism and clear the tray fully out of the way. To do that, it must also lift up the spindle assembly to push the disc against the top clamp. I believe your player is this way because it's a single side player, correct?

You can possibly try this test: When the tray closes and places the disc on the spindle, see if you can at that same moment manually assist the spindle to close against the upper clamp with a tug upward on the assembly. It should respond to your manipulation, and if not, there is some sort of obstruction. I think it will work with a little assist from you.

If this is effective, then you still need to replace that belt and do a lube of the unit. If this isn't effective, then let us know. Well, let us know either way.