Rowe cd-51 won't play cds

Suddenly my cd has stopped playing. It will get the disc, spin it at
varying speeds, but won't find a track and play it. If I look under
the cd while it's spinning I can't see any sign of a laser beam.
Should I be able to see one if the player is functioning? Is this a
common problem? I searched the archives but didn't seem to find much
about this particular problem (or maybe I'm not searching the right
buzz words).
Thanks for any tips or suggestions.
jim

Jim,

You should only be able to detect the laser when the juke is in the
play cycle. Best way is to make a selection, pull the disc before it
is placed on the platter, hold the disc clamp plate up and out of the
way. Look through a thin piece of paper to view the laser lens. DO
NOT LOOK DIRECTLY INTO THE LASER BEAM LENS. However, before you
condemn the player when you don't see the laser beam, be sure to check
the CD power supply voltages. Check again at the player to eliminate
a possible bad harness.

Otherwise, this juke is like 15 - 18 years old. If it still has the
OEM player that was installed at the factory, chances are pretty good
that the laser diode has finally failed. If so, you may be able to
find a used unit on eBay or by plain ol' internet detective work.
After that, you have to decide if it is worth the +500 dollars to
upgrade to the CDM12 / Pro system.

Best of luck.

Respectfully,
David Rebber
Jordan Amusement Co., Inc.
Lubbock, TX

David-
Thank you for the response. If the laser diode is indeed bad is that
something I can replace? Is it available? I've got a fair amount of
circuit board soldering experience and I'm not afraid to tear it apart
and replace components.
I'll check the laser using your strategy tonight, and I'll check out
the voltages as well. I think the schematics are in my manual.
Thanks again.
jim

Jim,

There are no service parts available for the CDM3 (usually has a
yellow "Laser Warning" sticker on the top frame) or CDM4 series
players (usually has the model number silk-screened onto the top
frame). In the event your player has cratered, you still have some
avenues for upgrading it to the latest version of commercial Philips
player or to a consumer player made by an alternative company.

Hopefully, you will find a regulator out of spec... and don't forget
your cabling...

Respectfully,
David Rebber
Jordan Amusement Co., Inc.
Lubbock, TX

On Mar 14, 3:19 am, DRebber wrote:
Jim,

You should only be able to detect the laser when the juke is in the
play cycle. Best way is to make a selection, pull the disc before it
is placed on the platter, hold the disc clamp plate up and out of the
way. Look through a thin piece of paper to view the laser lens. DO
NOT LOOK DIRECTLY INTO THE LASER BEAM LENS. However, before you
condemn the player when you don't see the laser beam, be sure to check
the CD power supply voltages. Check again at the player to eliminate
a possible bad harness.

Otherwise, this juke is like 15 - 18 years old. If it still has the
OEM player that was installed at the factory, chances are pretty good
that the laser diode has finally failed. If so, you may be able to
find a used unit on eBay or by plain ol' internet detective work.
After that, you have to decide if it is worth the +500 dollars to
upgrade to the CDM12 / Pro system.

Best of luck.

Respectfully,
David Rebber
Jordan Amusement Co., Inc.
Lubbock, TX


If you havent already done so, resolder EVERY solder joint on both the
player underside PCB and the mech control board. These boards used
horrific quality solder, (probably that politically correct lead free
crap) that is guaranteed to dry joint and give endless troubles. I
have seen this many times in Rowe CDM 3 players.

I use standard 0.71mm tin/lead solder and works well.

use of a magnifier is advised, to avoid accidentally bridging any
joints.
--------------------

Actually while on the subject of CD-51, here is one that was recently
sold to us on-location. It required major repairs including the CD
player

http://www.geocities.com/kenreed1999/IMG_1967.jpg

In spite of being virtually across the road from a police station,
they obviously have had problems with vandalism (or are worried about
it happening)