Unit was playing CD/LD with some intermittent A>B switching fails. At end of "A" side, disc would rev up and then slowly come to a stop (30-40 seconds to stop) when the switching failed.
A few weeks later, loaded LD now shows as "no disc". CD still plays fine.

Cleaned lens. Replaced the loading belt. No change.

This video depicts my problem, EXCEPT, on mine CDs will play. Unit in video looks much like mine.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-VqsT0Mi7w


Any thoughts would be VERY appreciated!

I cannot remember if this is a Pioneer clone CLD-D503 or 703 but I think it is the 503. For the 503 there is a large cap on the front of the side vertical board 1000uf that can short out and it will take one of the fuse protectors with it. This is the +5 V line to power the video processing chip. During CD playback the video circuitry is not utilized to operate the unit as it just sync’s to the digital audio stream from the RF. During LD playback it sync’s to the video and since this IC is not receiving power there is not video to respond to.

Sometimes this is OK and you have to follow the video leg after the laser RF signal is split between digital audio/video.

Hey Kurtis,

So in most cases do you find you need to replace the cap along with the fuse protector. Just wondering since I have three models similar to this one that I hope will never have this issue.

Agreed, when a capacitor shorts out that means it is bad and needs replacement

Hi Kurtis,

I'm not noticing anything that resembles a cap. Can you identify it in these images, perhaps?

image 2

I'm examining the board and I don't see anything labeled 1000uf. Is this the referenced board? Can the cap be identified in the photo? I can zoom a bit more if needed. I appreciate it!

*****I just got the unit to read an LD ONE time! Once I hit stop and ejected/reinserted, it reverted back to "no disc". *****

Look at the capacitor toward the front the has the exopy/glue holding it to the PCB so it cannot vibrate.

Yes, thank you, that IS the 1000uf. Pressed it while inserting disc. No change. It's in VERY SOLID. I see it's 2 pins coming out the back of the board. I have a multi meter. Is there a test?

Also, just noticed when playing CDs, the higher # tracks will not always play and will cause the tray to eject. On an 11 song CD, tracks 1-8 play. 9-11 cause tray to open. And, if I skip from track 1 to track 7, tray will open.

I think it may need a can of gas and a match.

Well if you are now having CD playback issues, this might change the diagnosis a bit. Maybe the problem could be more related to centering issues?

That sounds accurate. Right before the CD ceases to advance to next track and ejects, I can see the lens adjusting back and forth (white gears moving) Is there a way to calibrate that? If that is indeed what "centering" refers to.

That's not centering.

Centering I believe is more about the alignment of the track that the laser pick up rides on to ensure it lines up w/ the spindle motor (never had to do it myself so can't say for certain).

What's your opinion of this Kurtis?

Centering on the players I know are very odd but it seems to work.
There is a strange piece you can turn to adjust at a place you would never think of it to be but it will work.
I just don't know your player or where or how to do it.

As for the cap I would run a soldering iron over the two solder lugs just in case they are cold.

Made a HORRIBLE mistake. Fiddled with the laser assembly by gently(?) pushing it to and fro on it's white gear track and heard a gear "click". Nothing was broken, but I did skip it over a couple gear teeth by my pushing. Nothing will read, nothing will play. Yep, valuable lesson. Damn...

Maybe it’s a mistake, maybe it’s not.

Did you leave the pick up assembly where you said it clicked or did you move it back to its start up position?

I attempted to replace it to it's proper position with no luck. In one position I was able to get a CD to play tracks 1-5 of 11. Ejected it, reinserted it and would not read it again.