Hello all,
New member with a question on my CLD-79. I have had this unit since it was new but it has very low usage. It has been in my closet since I moved 3 years ago and I just decided to get it out and hook it back up. Well it powered up fine and I thought was ready to go until the dreaded P5 error code popped up. Tried multiple discs, tried cleaning them and tuned the player on and off multiple times with no change. Regular cd’s load and play if that matters.

I googled the code and found some posts about the problem but no real solutions. Any experts here have anything I can try? I haven’t opened it up yet as I really don’t know what I would be looking for. I could send it off for repair if needed but was hoping there is something I might be able to check and try first.

Thank you for any advice.

Jim

Are you sure it's an S5? Not an E5 or something else?

In any case, most issues due to a player sitting around is that your loading belt is now stretched and that affects a bunch of issues. How is the tray opening and closing right now? Does it sometimes open up again even after telling it to close?

Doh!!! My mistake, should not post at 1:30 am. Error code is P5. Tray is opening fine and not doing anything weird. When I press play I hear the disc spinning then it just pops up the error code. I took the cover off today and cleaned the spindle grip ring but it made no difference.

I have a new spare belt and just ordered a new spindle grip ring so when I install it I can also put on the new belt if you think it is necessary.

I would replace the loading belt first as it’s way easier to do than a grip ring.

If it turns out to work, then you can postpone the grip ring replacement until it’s really needed.

I’ll go ahead and put the new belt in see. I have it on my workbench anyway so it can’t hurt to try it.

May have been stupid of me but I saw a used CLD-79 on EBay last night and made an offer that was accepted so I have a backup unit coming. I guess it powers on but has the E3 error code. Even if I cannot get it running it can be a spare parts machine in case my player needs a part I can’t find.

Changed out the belt and cleaned the grip ring again and no change. Still opens and closes smoothly loads the disc and as it spins the error code pops up. Takes a long time for the disc to slow down and stop so that the tray can open.

For me changing out the belt proved difficult. No matter how hard I tried the belt still looks twisted. I bet I put it on and off 5 times. The pulley’s are under the brace and circuit board so it is hard to get in there to install.

Anyway not sure at this point if a new grip ring will help but I will still install it when it comes in. Hope it works. Shame really as this unit has such low hours on it and is clean as a pin inside and out and has always been stored in a cool and dry closet. That is why I was so surprised when I powered it up a few days ago that it would not work.

Does Kurtis still do repairs on laserdisc players?

Sounds like more of a grip ring after all.

When the player takes forever for the disc to slowdown, it indicates disc slippage when braking and thus the player then waits for the disc to stop spinning before it ejects.



If the 79 is any similar to a 703/704, I can reach the belt by simply removing the clamp to provide more access. This is how I did it on my Mitsubishi, M-V7057 (clone of 704)











Yes he does. Depending on where you are, good chance you would have to ship it to him which is a huge risk in itself.

I’m pretty sure it’s the grip ring even though nothing is 100%. The gamma turn players do have a history of bad grip rings.

Yes that looks exactly like the CLD-79. I did take the clamp off to get to the belt and pulled the tray out but it still seemed like a really tight spot to get into. I had some seal picks I was able to use to get the belt over the smaller pulley but like I mentioned the belt still looks like it is twisted. I will look closer when I put on the new grip ring.

I popped the disc in while the cover was off and that is how I could tell how fast it was still spinning after the error code pops up and you hit the eject button. I tried it a few times and different discs and it was the same issues no matter what.

I have access to really good shipping materials ( boxes and expanding foam ) so I would feel pretty comfortable shipping a unit.

Anyway hopefully the new slip ring will solve my issues.

Tinkered around with the player some more trying to just get a better idea how these things work. I found an old post on an old laserdisc newsgroup by Kurtis on how to clean these slip rings. He mentioned using a chamois cleaning stick and some Radio Shack head cleaner. So I ordered some chamois cleaning sticks and tried those with regular alcohol. The stick did turn very black and looked dirty so I had high hopes. Sadly it is still throwing up the P5 code. I watched the disc as it loaded and it spins in one direction then reversed and sped up then threw out the error code. My replacement slip rings will not get here till Tuesday so I will hopefully have better luck then.

Some good new. My CLD-79 I bought off eBay as a parts unit came in today. Auction said it powers on and the tray won’t open and then shows a E3 error code. It looked really good in the pictures so I made an offer and got it. Came really nicely packed and the unit is super clean, inside and out. Very good shape. Did power on but would not open and did display the E3 code. Took the lid off and there was a music cd stuck inside. So I took the top clamp bracket off and removed the cd. The laser carriage was stuck in the up position and jamming the tray. So I took my fingers and manually moved the gears and got the laser carriage back in the same position as my other player. Plugged it in and pressed open and the tray opened right up. Loaded a LD in and pressed play….. started playing just fine. Tried it numerous times and ejected, played, side change and so far it is working. Put a cd in and it played and ejected also. So what I thought was going to be a junk parts player turned into a nice find

Two players side by side. My original unit is on the right.

Cool! Now your "good" player can be the spare/parts unit, until if/when the new player gives you any problems. And, you can pick and choose the best cabinet parts from both of them for your active player.

Or better yet; learn what you can from the “good player” to see what is wrong with the original unit and apply whatever fix is needed.

Might have two good players in the end.

Well the new slip rings came in today so I installed in my original player. Didn’t help. Does the exact same thing. Put in a disc and it loads and is ready to go. Hit play and it starts spinning then reverses the disc and speeds up and then pops up the P5 error code. Disc keeps spinning even after hitting stop. Take a long time to spin to a stop or I can stop it by hand the I can eject the disc. Still plays a music cd fine.

Anybody have any other ideas? I would really like to get this player working. I bought it new and I know it has very low usage so I would like it to be my main player and keep the eBay find as a spare working player.

Thanks for any advice.

Here is a list of "P" issues....

[IMPORTANT] List of Pioneer Error Codes

P* = Spindle error

During TOC reading with an LD, the spindle servo was not locked within 60 seconds from the start of the spindle run.
When CAL/CLV determination is not finished within 60 seconds from spindle servo lock.
The codes could not be read from 10~15 seconds consecutively for an LD or 7~10 seconds for a CD/CDV and the spindle servo was not locked.
The speed exceeded 2,100rpm during LD start-up


Probable cause(s):

P0: PH code, SUB-Q code can not be read
P0: VCO, PLL offset out of adjustment
P0: Disc defect
P5: PAL disc, mirror disc, etc. PLAY
P5: No RF
P6: Spindle servo does not lock
P6: Spindle motor KO
P8: Unknown seen on a HLD-X0 when failing to spin up a MUSE disc


So P5 says "No RF".

This could mean a weak laser or maybe a laser that has a lot of dust on it (I assume you might have already cleaned it w/ a moist swab (do not use chemicals; only water). If so, maybe try and compare how bright the laser is between these two players. If the laser is about the same, I would try and see about re-seating "all" the ribbon cables going to the pick-up assembly back to the main board (could have a build up on the connections over time since you stated that it was stored).

If none of these tricks work, then you might have to turn up the RF pot since it did state "no RF". If you do this, turn it something like 1/8 of a turn @ a time until the player starts reading the disc.

I have not cleaned the laser as I was concentrating on the spindle motor. Tomorrow I will clean the laser and see if that makes a difference. If not then I will have to find where the RF pot is and see about that.

Thank you so much for the suggestions. I appreciate it.

Well I finally got around to looking inside the CLD-79 tonight. Our power was off all day due to the high winds here in Southern California.

Compared the insides of my player to the recent EBay player. Could not see any difference in them. Powered both up and watched them carefully and could not see any difference between them, checked all connections and nothing is loose or broken that I can see. I went ahead and cleaned the laser to see if that would help but sadly it made no difference. I looked to see where the RF adjustment pot was but could not see where it was. I was thinking it is on the main board buried underneath the top board. I looked in the service manual and found the pot. It looks like I will have to take off that top board to get to it. Not sure and didn’t want to tackle it tonight. Not sure I will go any deeper into it. I would still like to get it working but I think it is getting a little more involved than my pay grade.

Can you tell me how the spindle motors sound between the two units?

Sound identical. I cannot hear or see any difference in the operations.

How hard is it to replace the spindle motor? I see a used one on Ebay and was just curious. Hate to throw good money away without knowing for sure though. Just kinda weighing options.

I’ve exchanged some messages back and forth with Kurtis and I think I will send it off to him and get it fixed up. I know I have my eBay find going but I would still like to get my original player tuned up as my main player and have the eBay player as a backup or maybe someday a unit to sell.

Thanks for the suggestions and help I sure do appreciate it. Will keep you all posted.