Panasonic SA-AK25 CD Stereo System - Help please!

[Jacobe Hazzard]

I have a Panasonic 5 CD changer that has stopped recognizing CDs, it just
says 'no disc'.
I opened up the case to try and clean off the lens assembly, and I observed
that on powering up or inserting a cd there is no reaction whatsoever from
the pickup assembly.
The laser doesn't come on, the lense doesn't attempt to focus, and the servo
does not spin. The disc ejector and CD changer work fine, as well as all the
other functions of the receiver (radio, tape decks, aux inputs).

The problem started very suddenly, which makes me think it might be easy to
fix - maybe I just need to fix a power connection to the unit, or replace a
blown component?
If anyone is familiar with this stereo, or this type of problem, I would
REALLY appreciate hearing from you. Things to check? Things to try? I have
access to test equipment (DMM, O'scope..) At this point in time I can't
afford to repair or replace the system, so unless I can fix it I am without
tunes :-(

Thanks in advance!

Adam

[Mark D. Zacharias]

I've seen a couple where the wormscrew drive for the laser pickup was
jammed, usually by hair, carpet fiber, etc. Look to see if the pickup is
"homed" near the spindle motor. My guess is it's stuck somewhere along the
middle of it's track.

Mark Z.

"Jacobe Hazzard" <jacobe-hazzard(remove)@eudoramail.com> wrote in message
news:wQ9ga.7940$KlE....@news04.bloor.is.net.cable.rogers.com...

[Jacobe Hazzard]

No it's near the outer edge.
Also if the pickup wormscrew was jammed, that wouldn't explain why there
were NO signs of life, and why the disc didn't spin up?

Adam

"Mark D. Zacharias" <mzach...@yis.us> wrote in message
news:b5s6tf$2bn6ka$1...@ID-180484.news.dfncis.de...

[Mark D. Zacharias]

No, the pickup has to home to the INNER position before it will focus, and
before the disc will spin. Sounds like yours is jammed near the outer
circumference.

Mark Z.

"Jacobe Hazzard" <jacobe-hazzard(remove)@eudoramail.com> wrote in message

news:Zxmga.21664$s421...@news02.bloor.is.net.cable.rogers.com...

[Ricardo Matos Abreu]

After mark's post, I'd suggest that you try the following WITH THE POWER
OFF:

- Look carefully and try to figure out what makes the pickup move;
- turn the pickup motor by hand and check if it does move;
- If not, help the pickup gently with your finger while keeping to turn the
motor;
- Take the pickup to mid-position;
- Clean the lens;
- Then power the player and try it.

Ricardo

"Mark D. Zacharias" <mzach...@yis.us> wrote in message

news:b5unue$2bn1d2$1...@ID-180484.news.dfncis.de...

[Mark D. Zacharias]

It's kind of a big job on these just to gain access for this type of
service, but I'm pretty confident in my diagnosis, way more than usual. It's
just one of those, "Hey! I've seen that!" moments.

Mark Z.

"Ricardo Matos Abreu" <DROP_SPA...@av.it.pt> wrote in message
news:3e82e41c$1...@news.ua.pt...