Working on a clean looking Pioneer PDR-509 CD recorder. When I first powered up the main display cycled through "CD?" CDRW?" CDR?" (or something close to that) and then eventually settled on "Check Disc". This occurred no matter what type of disc I inserted including pre-recorded music CDs.
Cleaned lens with IPA and added some grease to the transport rails. No improvement.
Obtained service manual to locate the playback laser adjustment. I didn't follow the procedure in the manual closely because I don’t have a laser power meter. I found that adjusting the VR101 pot prevented the constant spinning and "check disc" errors. Now when inserting any type of disc it spins down quickly and reads "no disc". At this point VR101 has been turned almost completely ccw which seems wrong anyway. Do I need to follow the adjustment procedure in the manual and have the unit in test mode (which I initially did) for the adjustment to work? Is there a way to do this without a laser power meter?
When activating the error code display (holding stop) I get a reading of "5100 00". Seems to indicate no error, but is the maxed out hour count a clue to something? Should I reset the hours?
My understanding is that the 509 doesn’t have issues from a super cap like some other models. Is there something similar I can try?
I would consider dropping a complete replacement drive in the unit if it were feasible and inexpensive.
I'm mostly interested in using it as a playback unit. I might end up just scrapping the whole thing. Any opinions on whether it's worth anything as-is for parts on Ebay?
Thanks.
Cleaned lens with IPA and added some grease to the transport rails. No improvement.
Obtained service manual to locate the playback laser adjustment. I didn't follow the procedure in the manual closely because I don’t have a laser power meter. I found that adjusting the VR101 pot prevented the constant spinning and "check disc" errors. Now when inserting any type of disc it spins down quickly and reads "no disc". At this point VR101 has been turned almost completely ccw which seems wrong anyway. Do I need to follow the adjustment procedure in the manual and have the unit in test mode (which I initially did) for the adjustment to work? Is there a way to do this without a laser power meter?
When activating the error code display (holding stop) I get a reading of "5100 00". Seems to indicate no error, but is the maxed out hour count a clue to something? Should I reset the hours?
My understanding is that the 509 doesn’t have issues from a super cap like some other models. Is there something similar I can try?
I would consider dropping a complete replacement drive in the unit if it were feasible and inexpensive.
I'm mostly interested in using it as a playback unit. I might end up just scrapping the whole thing. Any opinions on whether it's worth anything as-is for parts on Ebay?
Thanks.
Never adjust the laser power. If it must be adjusted, the laser is out of specification and must be replaced.
I suspect it cannot acheive focus. I would suspect the laser.
Carry out the specified sequence of events; disk load, laser light, acheive focus, spin up disk and read TOC.
Where does it stop, bearing in mind you are stuffed as to where the laser power must be adjusted. Leave it to the professionals.
I suspect it cannot acheive focus. I would suspect the laser.
Carry out the specified sequence of events; disk load, laser light, acheive focus, spin up disk and read TOC.
Where does it stop, bearing in mind you are stuffed as to where the laser power must be adjusted. Leave it to the professionals.