Sony CDP-C201 skipping

[vairporvolk64]

Hello everyone, I am new here, and I have an issue with a CD player I just got. It reads the disc just fine, instantly in fact, but it skips around on the tracks a ton, any tips? I also just cleaned the lens on it.

 

[Galu]

Welcome to the forum!

Unfortunately, there are many possible causes of skipping.

A full description of the nature of the skipping and where it occurs on the disc may help diagnosis.

Start by looking for mechanical faults such as loose belts, worn or broken gear teeth, dried up lubrication - anything that would impede the smooth movement of the mechanism.

The fact that it is a 5 CD autochanger could complicate matters somewhat!

 

[vairporvolk64]

It skips instantly on any disc, also I know the carrousel belt is bad because I have to help it load the CD by hand

 

[vairporvolk64]

I actually just tipped the player a little and it plays perfectly on an angle, but it skips when I put it back down.

 

[Galu]

Skipping at the beginning of the disc can be down to a faulty spindle motor.

Perhaps tipping the player at an angle stops the shaft of the motor from wobbling in a worn bearing.

Try wiggling the motor shaft from side to side to check for any worrying wobble.

Oiling a worn bearing (if it can be reached) can give temporary relief. Eventually the spindle motor will require replacement, which I believe is no simple task.

 

[vairporvolk64]

I wiggled the shaft a little and there does not seem to be any major play in it.

 

[Galu]

Apart from checking for the mechanical faults I mentioned earlier, I'm afraid I have nothing further to suggest.

Repairing old CD players requires a service manual, test equipment and an expert understanding of how the blighters work.

And professional repair would cost more than the player is worth!

 

[vairporvolk64]

Perhaps I could find a cheap motor replacement?

 

[Galu]

There's no evidence that the spindle motor requires replacement since you appear to have ruled out worn bearings.

 

[vairporvolk64]

The bearings you speak of are the ones within side the spindle motor correct? If so, why not just buy a cheap replacement motor.

 

[vairporvolk64]

I'm not really sure which bearing you are referring to

 

[Galu]

The bearings are underneath the CD holder. (see attachment).

Please note that if the spindle isn't wobbly then replacing the motor will not cure your skipping problem.

 

[vairporvolk64]

Ah,alright, Also is there supposed to be a little strip of some material on the spindle? There is not one on mine, and I wonder if there previously was one that fell off and that is preventing proper operation of the mechanism. The spindle tray is just bare metal on mine, and the arm at the top has nothing. Seems like there should be something there to cushion the CD.

 

[Galu]

I'm not familiar with this machine, but the Service Manual may help you explore the mechanism.

https://www.audioservicemanuals.com/s/sony/sony-cdp/581673-sony-cdp-c201-service-manual

 

[vairporvolk64]

Perhaps the bushings on the table that holds the Lazer have gone bad, or the springs that hold it have lost their strength? Or either the rails or gears have dirt or dried grease preventing proper movement?

 

[vairporvolk64]

There is plenty visible dried grease on the mechanism, I also found hair wound up in the spindle

 

[Galu]

Fingers crossed that cleaning and relubricating the mechanism will lead to a cure.

 

[vairporvolk64]

I took the whole mechanism apart, cleaned everything and lubricated the gears, put everything back together and it's still skipping unfortunately.

 

[Galu]

I also just cleaned the lens on it.

The final contribution I shall make is to ask if you cleaned the lens effectively.

Did you blow out any dust that may have collected inside the lens assembly?

Did you clean the lens with isopropyl alcohol? Note that CD lens cleaning discs are pretty useless.

 

[vairporvolk64]

I cleaned everything, still no good, I did notice that the timing belt is stretched, the one that engages the whole lens mechanism, and I wonder if that is causing skipping as the mechanism is not properly engaging?