Have you an Oscilloscope? Can you look at the RF Test Point?
With a disc loaded, when you press PROGRAM do you see any signal?
I suspect you won't, or it will be very small, too small for the player to recognise, hence no play.
Not normally recommended but a small and I mean small turn of the Laser Power potentiomemter on the Laser itself may spark things into life. I'm afraid I can't remember which direction is 'Up' so make a note of where the potentiomemter is before you start and try it both ways.
I do suspect the Laser is at fault.
P.