I cant get the thing to open. It is a beautiful unit with wood sides. However, I can pick up players on the cheap as it is. Would it be worth it to get it fixed? I dont want to crack it open and get into it and mess it up. I would just pay someone to fix it. It is in beautiful shape as well cosmetically.

Are there still places in US (besides http://www.laserdiscservice.com) who offer to repair laserdisc players?
If so I'd go for it as the outer build quality was certainly vastly superior to the most of the second hand machines up for grabs these days.

In the UK the only players that can (and that might even be a 'could' now) be repaired were last generation models like the DVL909, DVL919.
Even popular models like the CLD-D925 can no longer be serviced - just as well I sent a few of mine to be completely refurbished before this service was discontinued.

In Switzerland, Pionneer Suisse still offers a very good after market service for any LD Player.

So far I've given them :

- 1 DLV-919E for a service before a sale
- 2 defective CLD-A100 (Laseractive) and they made me 1 working Unit !
- 1 working CLD-A100 for a tray mechanism maintenance

All this for little cost, each time, not more than an hour was invoiced.

Great service.
Even though they do not know the devices (CLD-A100 was never imported in Europe), they know how to repair it.

The unit is beautiful, from the outside and everything works great as does the remote. The flipping thing just wont open. It is nice and bright as well when it is all lit up. I will keep looking.

Some of us do still work on players. I'm in Virginia, Laserdisc Service (Duncan) is in state of Washington. Another thing to consider is depend on where you live you may be able to buy another cheaper than shipping and repair costs. The CLD-91 is the elite version of the CLD-3070 which is the first player Pioneer made that plays both sides. These are known for lubrication issue over time.

Any chance of getting some addresses for LaserDisc player repair stations...?
Buying cheaper is a prudent option,however sometimes the value of the player demands some TLC from a Professional Service Tech....?
Thanks in advance if anyone takes the time to list an address or two.

I am in So Cal so there has to be someone here.

Pioneer's website lists authorized service centers. If you call around, you will find that many of them have been in business 20 or 30 years, & have a tech who can work on LD players. Likewise, old well-established hi-fi/home-theater shops often have someone who can do that. In my area I have both, although I have also sent my machines halfway across the country to Kurtis Bahr.

Does that machine warrant a trip to a shop though. I mean if I can get it first for cheaper then more expensive I would but all in all I picked up a player for a buck yesterday. Works great.

Since you live in Ca. I'd recommend Bayview Electronics in Olympia Washington. Pioneer service centers dropped LD support but Duncan has continued offering Authorized Pioneer support.

http://laserdiscservice.com/

But we go back to the is it worth the 40 bucks to ship it there, whatever to get it fixed and another 40 to get it back to me. So we are looking around 130 dollars or so give or take. Is it worth it.

I'm in So Cal also, but I think you ought to take a look inside. If the drawer won't open, you may just find it's a minor problem. Was this a player shipped to you and arrived that way? Or it acted up and so the owner sold it cheap? What kind of noises do you get and/or any error codes on the front display?

Most of the time when this has happened to Pioneer players I've gotten it was one of three things:

1. The upper spindle clamp-down, which is magnetic to a degree, was stuck tight to the lower motor unit spindle, and a manual freeing of it with a tug upward got it loose, and the tray opened fine. This is the 1st thing to check as it is pretty common. (see #2 below for why this happens)

2. The little drive belt that's responsible for opening, closing and lowering the disc tray AND lifting the spindle clamp mechanism is broken, or stretched and way too loose. This is what causes #1 above because the belt no longer can supply the torque needed to break the magnetic bond. If #1 solves the problem and you cannot replace the belt right away, a temporary solution is to keep a disc in the tray when off to stop the mag clamp from engaging.

3. The tray somehow got off track and stuck in some way, or an obstruction is catching it, and requires some manuipulation to get it back on track properly. (less common but can happen in shipping or the mishandling of tray by pushing it in improperly)

It's worth going through these 3 easy steps to see if you can get the problem resolved in my opinion, and a good re-lubing is important too. If it's anything more than these 3, then a repair service is likely warranted, and if so, I know a good place in the LA area.

Shoot me the place in LA. I have checked and there is nothing there.

I will, but 1st tell me if you're in LA or out of LA? If you're closer to me in Riverside county then I'll check it out no charge with you here. But if you're closer to LA, that's fine.

This fellow is not listed as LD repair, he's listed as general TV electronics repair, but can do LDs. I have him work on my betamax machines when needed. He's an older fellow from one of those east european countries that broke away from the USSR and was some sort of engineer there I think, but a really smart guy on electronics.

So is LA (Highland Park area) better for you?

I live in riverside, lol

Okay, I'm in Lake Elsinore just down the road from you. Shoot an email to rixrex /at/ netzero \dot\ net with message and I'll reply or even phone number and I'll give you a call.

You can even check out my slew of CED players, ha.

Will do!

I've heard numerous cases of slides not to open... and in some cases this is easily to fix yourself.
Did you already open the player up yourselves and press the EJECT button to see what happens then ?
Maybe it's something simple to fix...

for people in Europe, i also have good contacts with a real laserdisc fan in Holland who can repair, upgrade and modify laserdisc players.
I have a CLD-515 for which i received a DTS out (digital out) upgrade, he upgraded my LD-S2 to AC-3 out, etc...
If he can't fix it, no one can. (perhaps besides Kurtis )

Let me know if i can help anybody out.