Hello all,

So my CLD-D501 was having trouble playing the top side of the disc. The alpha turn mechanism was making clicking noises when attempting move the laser sled to the top side of the disc. Other than this the player was working pretty good other than the tray sticking a bit when ejecting.

So I opened it up to inspect. I watched the laser sled attempt to rotate the full 180 degrees, it would just about make it all of the way, then the clicking noise started for a few seconds. Then it would rotate back to the bottom side.

I unplugged the player from the wall, and then I unplugged the two ribbon cables on the alpha turn mechanism (in the attached photo) to get a better look at it and to freely rotate the mechanism around to make sure the gear teeth look OK and to remove any sticky goop.


It moved pretty smooth, so I put the ribbon cables back, though this required a bit of a push to get them into the slot so that the cable lock would grab on to them.

I turned the player back on and none of the typically startup activity happens, no movement anywhere. Hitting the eject button does nothing, and the front panel looks like this:

I'm hoping I did not damage the cables. The one that connects to the laser sled has a tensioner so I would assume it's not too fragile. Is there a chance that they are not seated properly? or possibly something has shorted somewhere?

Any thought's or suggestions will be greatly appreciated!

You just need a new loading belt. Part PEB-1013.

The load mechanism affects not just loading but adjusting the tilt of the carriage for the pick-up to move from Side A to B and back.

Thanks for the belt part number.

If I can get this player back to the state it was in before I messed things up, I'll get a new belt.

Make sure the white cable is oriented the correct way and none of the metal tips on the ends have come loose.

Make sure they are evenly and fully inserted.

Do all of this with the unit completely unplugged.

I did attempt to insert the white ribbon cable while the unit was plugged in and turned on. Hopefully this did not cause any damage.

...I’m speechless.

I can't see the images you posted, but it sounds like you might have shorted something.

Pull the cables, make sure the ends as well as the inside of the connectors on the boards look ok.

Sometimes you just need to add some white lithium grease to the guide rail.

The clicking noise is probably the top gear track jumping down and back up while the pickup movement gear is turning while trying to move unto the top rail.

Here are the photos I tried to include in my initial post.

That to me looks like either the pickup somehow was cooked or the connection to the main assembly or CNNB board is bad. If I recall correctly, you get same symptoms if you unplug white cable on a properly functioning player.

Yeah, I'm afraid I may have fried something, as I did see a tiny spark from the white cable when pulling it out, I let it brush up against the metal frame above it.
Hopefully not, I'll try ensuring everything is seated properly this weekend, while it's unplugged this time.