So, I've been into the idea of a LaserDisc collection for a while, and I've finally found myself in a place financially to where I can support the habit.

I got a CLD-505 that was supposed to be in working condition on a message board for 35$ and I brought it home and it doesn't work. I know a little bit about electronics and repairs but my knowledge of LaserDisc is limited.

To begin troubleshooting, I opened it and ran it with the case open to see if I could detect the laser on my iPhone camera (because it's IR yea?) and I don't even see a glint of light.

Tray operates normally and the disc gets clamped into place normally, then the disc doesn't spin and instead reads "no disc". I assume this is a laser issue?

The laser carriage goes up and down and forward and back without any obvious strain. I've checked the ribbon up and down and found no issues with the it. I can see where it starts and ends and haven't found any notable crimps or corrosion.

Is my model notorious for failing? Would it be worth hunting down a replacement laser pick up and doing the repair?

I can post a picture or video of the device running while if that would help.

Thanks again so, so much!

Good to see you got over here. Helpfully someone will chime in here soon. Another question I just thought of. Does the main spindle motor spin up at all? If not there might be a malfunctioning or damaged microswitch that needs fixing which tells the player the tray is closed, or potentially a light gate sensor that detects when a beam is interrupted and determines that means there's a disc inserted.

Simply clean the laser to begin with.
Then, see what happens...

If the Focus Lens goes up and down smoothly and doesn't a beam then you could carefully clean the laser but I suspect its faulty.

Be sure to try Audio CD also just to be sure also!!!!!!

please keep us updated,

Duane

This community is great!

Okay, so I cleaned the s**t out of the laser eye and still, I'm getting the same "no disc" error. Unless it identifies the disc, it won't spin up the spindle right? I can't even test that until I get it to admit that there's a disc in the tray, yea?

Still, there's no laser coming out of the laser visibly OR on my iPhone camera, which I've also tried a couple other digital cameras (in case it's an infrared laser) and still no dice.

Advice?

Soon as you close the tray the cd should spin...

It would need a new laser pickup if you see no red beam... if you see the focus go up and down without a disc and no light then laser pickup 99.7%

So turn on the power without disc and look a little from a distance with the room lights off ...

Laser arm goes up and down with no disc inside. With all the room lights off, there's no light.

Laserdisc totaled?

I'm afraid so..

At least now I know.

I am picking up a similar model tomorrow (for another low price) with a BIG stack of discs. In there is the original Star Wars box set (where Han shoots first), so I'll just keep this one for parts (obviously not the laser pick up) but if the tray ever acts up, I'll be able to deal with it.

Thanks for the help everyone! I'll update tomorrow after I get the new one and I'll start posting reviews on my discs.

This is a whole new world for me, but I plan on taking a deep dive!

Make sure to utilize the Collection and Wishlist portions of LDDB.com. Very helpful and awesome features. The amount of detail in the database is nothing short of astonishing.

I have a CLD-D505 that works save for a bad power supply fuse. If you'd like it for parts, PM me and we'll discuss details.