Fix my Marantz

[richie00boy]

My 3 year old DV4100ose DVD player has just started sticking on CD playback. The unit has not really had that much use and only in pretty much cleanroom conditions.

Do I need to get a replacement laser unit? I have no clue on where to start fixing, but am competent electronically. Please help.

 

[Netlist]

I truly whished I could be of any help. Unfortunately...you'll have to wait for the bright minds to show up.

/Hugo

 

[Bill Fitzpatrick]

I, too, wish I could be of assistance.

 

[kora]

As I said in my thread, I'm not the one to give advice to anyone about electronics, but if you decide to change the optical pick-up, this is where I started, it gives a good idea of what's involved:
http://iangclark.net/projects/CD63/CD63.html

 

[richie00boy]

Thanks for looking Hugo. Also thanks Bill, coming from you that makes me feel special

Will look at that link kora, thanks.

 

[Miniwatt]

Did you clean the laser lens????????????

I own a El-Cheapo DVD-player, that refuses to work from time to time. All I do then is blow some air over the lens and all is fine!
Seems to me (after the second cleaning session in about six months... ) DVD-players are more susceptible to dust. Might have something to do with the laser wavelength

 

[richie00boy]

I haven't tried cleaning the lens. As I wrote, I am pedantic about cleanliness of discs and also of dust on/around the player.

The symptom is just a pause then resume, not skipping or juddering.

 

[Netlist]

Richie, you should clean it as a first attempt.
You'd be surprised how many dust I find in a TV set from people who are cleaning every day. More then those who only clean on Fridays.

/Hugo

 

[richie00boy]

OK. If I'm to try cleaning, how should I do it? I've never liked the look of those CD things with the little brushes in. Should I use one?

 

[Netlist]

A simple cotton stick (the one you clean your ears with) and a tiny bit of distilled water will do very well. I don’t advice pressurized air as it could damage the lens suspension.

/Hugo

 

[richie00boy]

So the cleaning CDs are no good? Is isopropyl alcohol safe to use or must I use distilled water? Is distilled water for car batteries suitable?

 

[Netlist]

Imagine the brush of a cleaning cd as a brush you clean the floor with to make your glasses shine.
Use nothing else apart from a bit of distilled water, yes the one you put in your car battery.
Never use alcohol or isop., as most lenses will simply melt.

/Hugo

 

[richie00boy]

Thanks Hugo. I will get some water tomorrow and hopefully when I take the lid off I will find the lens easy to clean!?

 

[Netlist]

Let me tell you a little secret:
I always clean lenses with a bit of saliva before drinking the wine.
One tip of the cotton stick on the tip of my tongue to make it wet, clean the lens gently, turn the cotton stick provided it has two cotton tips and make it shine with the same gentle movements.
If the player works, I raise the glass.

/Hugo

 

[richie00boy]

I got some distilled/deionised water and wiped over the lens and dried it off, cotton buds (q-tip) each time. Just played a CD through and seems OK although the lens and inside the player seemed to be spotless.

 

[Netlist]

Great, if it keeps playing for a few days it will probably be fixed. If not...

/Hugo

 

[richie00boy]

It's started doing it again Any rough ideas how much a laser mech is and how involved it is to change? Where can I get one from?

 

[leinahtan]

yeah...the so called dust off air blower might be a bit risky to use...take the one who replied using cotton buds....that is damped to clean the focusing lens...that is the one visible on top of the optical lens......mildly and gently clean it in a rotational manner from center to the edges....and it might work...

 

[richie00boy]

That's what I did... Now about 10 playing hours later and it's playing up again.

 

[rabbitz]

I don't know if you can get into the service menu. The Sony DVD players have an auto laser alignment procedure in there that normally helps.