Hi Forum,
I have a Sony CFD-ZW755 RADIO/CD/TAPE player I have had for 10 plus years and the cd player recently died. From my research it sounds like the optical pick-up on the cd mechanism has failed. I found the service manual and it says the cd mechanism I have is a KSM-213RDM because my serial number is greater than 0560201. Before that point the unit used a KSM-213CDM. My problem is I can't find a KSM-213RDM available but I have found the KSM-213CDM.
Does anyone know if these two cd mechanisms are interchangeable or is there some other cd mechanism that will work for the KSM-213RDM?
The reason I want to try to repair my current machine is because I have not been able to find anything new out there that has the size and power of my current boombox with radio/cd/tape features.
I'm kinda stuck and don't know what else to do so any feedback would be super appreciated.
Thanks all.
Best,
-Tim
I have a Sony CFD-ZW755 RADIO/CD/TAPE player I have had for 10 plus years and the cd player recently died. From my research it sounds like the optical pick-up on the cd mechanism has failed. I found the service manual and it says the cd mechanism I have is a KSM-213RDM because my serial number is greater than 0560201. Before that point the unit used a KSM-213CDM. My problem is I can't find a KSM-213RDM available but I have found the KSM-213CDM.
Does anyone know if these two cd mechanisms are interchangeable or is there some other cd mechanism that will work for the KSM-213RDM?
The reason I want to try to repair my current machine is because I have not been able to find anything new out there that has the size and power of my current boombox with radio/cd/tape features.
I'm kinda stuck and don't know what else to do so any feedback would be super appreciated.
Thanks all.
Best,
-Tim
Last edited:
Information on differences is virtually impossible to find...
If you are looking at the whole mechanism then likely differences are in things like the platter height (different length spindle on the motor) and so on. Perhaps even differences in the pressed chassis mountings.
If you suspect the pickup then that is normally easily replaceable on its own.
Remember there can be other things beside a faulty pickup causing problems. You should check it performs a 'focus search' operation (you will need to defeat the interlocks to see this) and also that the laser emits light (not always obvious and easy to see).
If you are looking at the whole mechanism then likely differences are in things like the platter height (different length spindle on the motor) and so on. Perhaps even differences in the pressed chassis mountings.
If you suspect the pickup then that is normally easily replaceable on its own.
Remember there can be other things beside a faulty pickup causing problems. You should check it performs a 'focus search' operation (you will need to defeat the interlocks to see this) and also that the laser emits light (not always obvious and easy to see).
Sony CFD-ZW755 cd player problem
Hi Mooly,
Thank you very much for taking the time to reply to my post with your feedback/advice. I tried to attach the .pdf to the service manual but it was too large. I followed your advice to perform a focus search as shown on page 3 of the service manual and I did see a red light and the lens articulate up and down 3 times so maybe the issue isn't with the pick up on the KSM-213RDM assembly? I was thinking that assembly had to be the problem because that unit seems to be the most involved with reading the cds.
Here's the path to the service manual if you are interested in seeing what I saw regarding the focus search function.
SONY CFD-ZW755 SERVICE MANUAL Pdf Download | ManualsLib
I've never had issues with the cd player then one day it said "No Disc." I unplugged the unit for 10 minutes and plugged back in and the cd player worked again for a few hours but while a cd was playing I could hear a buzzing sound, the audio was distorted, and the cd pick up was losing the cd and picking it up again. After the cd player did this for a about a minute the display ultimately read "No Disc" again. I unplugged the unit again for 10 minutes, plugged it back and when I tried to use the cd feature I could hear the sound of the unit trying to pick up the cd but eventually the display read "No Disc" after several seconds.
The reason I am hoping to save this unit is because I can't find newer good radio/cd/tape players that have the same power as my CFD-ZW755 and they are not manufactured anymore. I found some of the same units for sale on eBay but some of those units say in the description the cd player doesn't work. If I found one that did have a working cd player I'm guessing it would go out soon so it made sense to try to fix my unit with new components.
I'm hoping you have some more advice and feedback on what the issue may be.
Thank you, Mooly.
-Tim
Hi Mooly,
Thank you very much for taking the time to reply to my post with your feedback/advice. I tried to attach the .pdf to the service manual but it was too large. I followed your advice to perform a focus search as shown on page 3 of the service manual and I did see a red light and the lens articulate up and down 3 times so maybe the issue isn't with the pick up on the KSM-213RDM assembly? I was thinking that assembly had to be the problem because that unit seems to be the most involved with reading the cds.
Here's the path to the service manual if you are interested in seeing what I saw regarding the focus search function.
SONY CFD-ZW755 SERVICE MANUAL Pdf Download | ManualsLib
I've never had issues with the cd player then one day it said "No Disc." I unplugged the unit for 10 minutes and plugged back in and the cd player worked again for a few hours but while a cd was playing I could hear a buzzing sound, the audio was distorted, and the cd pick up was losing the cd and picking it up again. After the cd player did this for a about a minute the display ultimately read "No Disc" again. I unplugged the unit again for 10 minutes, plugged it back and when I tried to use the cd feature I could hear the sound of the unit trying to pick up the cd but eventually the display read "No Disc" after several seconds.
The reason I am hoping to save this unit is because I can't find newer good radio/cd/tape players that have the same power as my CFD-ZW755 and they are not manufactured anymore. I found some of the same units for sale on eBay but some of those units say in the description the cd player doesn't work. If I found one that did have a working cd player I'm guessing it would go out soon so it made sense to try to fix my unit with new components.
I'm hoping you have some more advice and feedback on what the issue may be.
Thank you, Mooly.
-Tim
The player attempting to play and then deteriorating with audible noise on the playback could be a faulty pickup assembly.
Without simple diagnostic tests it is all guesswork I'm afraid. The first test would be to look at the signal coming off the pickup with an oscilloscope and then make a determination where to go based on that. It just tells you so much about what is going on.
All players follow the same principles and diagnostics are similar:
Sony CDP790 and KSS240 Restoration Project
I assume you have cleaned the lens properly using a cotton bud and suitable fluid (such as as 30/70 mix of iso and water). Problems with mechanisms like these are that they are pretty open to contamination and that includes the optics you can't see within the pickup.
Without simple diagnostic tests it is all guesswork I'm afraid. The first test would be to look at the signal coming off the pickup with an oscilloscope and then make a determination where to go based on that. It just tells you so much about what is going on.
All players follow the same principles and diagnostics are similar:
Sony CDP790 and KSS240 Restoration Project
I assume you have cleaned the lens properly using a cotton bud and suitable fluid (such as as 30/70 mix of iso and water). Problems with mechanisms like these are that they are pretty open to contamination and that includes the optics you can't see within the pickup.
Hi Mooly,
Thank you again for your response, advice, and expertise. I did clean the top of the cd lens with electronics cleaner and a q-tip to no avail. Thank you for attaching your Sony CDP790 and KSS240 Restoration link. I found the read informative, interesting and very impressive. Unfortunately I do not own an oscilloscope and would have no idea how to operate one if I had one so I am coming to understand I am clearly out of my league here. However after reading your link I feel inspired to open up my Sony unit to expose the KSM-213RDM unit and the KSS-213R optical pick-up to see I can see any obvious cracked solders, or dirty contacts. It sounds like my best bet would be to buy a new KSS-213R and figure out how to replace it.
Thanks again, Sir!
Thank you again for your response, advice, and expertise. I did clean the top of the cd lens with electronics cleaner and a q-tip to no avail. Thank you for attaching your Sony CDP790 and KSS240 Restoration link. I found the read informative, interesting and very impressive. Unfortunately I do not own an oscilloscope and would have no idea how to operate one if I had one so I am coming to understand I am clearly out of my league here. However after reading your link I feel inspired to open up my Sony unit to expose the KSM-213RDM unit and the KSS-213R optical pick-up to see I can see any obvious cracked solders, or dirty contacts. It sounds like my best bet would be to buy a new KSS-213R and figure out how to replace it.
Thanks again, Sir!
Thanks for the kind words, and I'm pleased you found it useful.
I'd say you've nothing to lose by changing the pickup as long as you keep your expectations realistic... and it does stand a fair to good chance of working.
One thing to be aware of (and I'm not familiar with the KSS213R) is that many but not all of the KSS pickups have a 'shorting link' fitted to protect the laser diode from static during transit and fitting.
It is typically a blob of solder between two pads and need to be removed before the pickup will work. I don't know if that applies to this one.
A picture shows what might be a possible such link.
I'd say you've nothing to lose by changing the pickup as long as you keep your expectations realistic... and it does stand a fair to good chance of working.
One thing to be aware of (and I'm not familiar with the KSS213R) is that many but not all of the KSS pickups have a 'shorting link' fitted to protect the laser diode from static during transit and fitting.
It is typically a blob of solder between two pads and need to be removed before the pickup will work. I don't know if that applies to this one.
A picture shows what might be a possible such link.
Attachments
Hi Mooly,
I do remember reading something about the need to remove a solder blob from somewhere. When I get the new KSS-213R pick-up I can compare the old one to the new one to find out if I need to remove any solder. Your picture is super helpful so I have more of an idea where to look.
Thank you very, very much!
Take care,
-Tim
I do remember reading something about the need to remove a solder blob from somewhere. When I get the new KSS-213R pick-up I can compare the old one to the new one to find out if I need to remove any solder. Your picture is super helpful so I have more of an idea where to look.
Thank you very, very much!
Take care,
-Tim
Check if the mechanism has no broken gears / teeth. Check rail lubrication.
Probably You only have to replace the pickup KSS-213C.
On the new one, remove the solder blob only after connecting the ribbon cable if there is one. My KSS-240 didn't have it.
Pecas de substituicao do captador da lente do laser KSS 213C otico universal para o cd dvd de sony|Pecas e acessorios de reposicao| - AliExpress
Compare the pictures with the old one before ordering online. The cheaper ones have less pins on the underside detector IC.
You could also tweak the pot just 1/2 mm to each side in order to try to gain synch. Sometimes it works, but lifetime will be short.
Probably You only have to replace the pickup KSS-213C.
On the new one, remove the solder blob only after connecting the ribbon cable if there is one. My KSS-240 didn't have it.
Pecas de substituicao do captador da lente do laser KSS 213C otico universal para o cd dvd de sony|Pecas e acessorios de reposicao| - AliExpress
Compare the pictures with the old one before ordering online. The cheaper ones have less pins on the underside detector IC.
You could also tweak the pot just 1/2 mm to each side in order to try to gain synch. Sometimes it works, but lifetime will be short.
Thank you for your insight as well, MAACO.
I have a KSS-213R and not a KSS-213C but from what I have read the KSS-213 family is interchangeable. Preferably I would like to replace the 213R with a 213R. I found this one on aliexpress but from some of the reviews I have read about this site it sounds like buying a part from them could be risky as a lot of the parts are not OEM and they arrive defective.
Original New VCD CD Laser Assy KSS 213R Optical pickup KSS213R Laser Len KSS 213R Optical Bloc KSM 213RDP|bloc| - AliExpress
I'm hoping to hear from the forum about their experiences with aliexpress because the last thing I want to do is buy a non OEM or defective part.
Thank you again Mooly and MAACO for your feedback.
I have a KSS-213R and not a KSS-213C but from what I have read the KSS-213 family is interchangeable. Preferably I would like to replace the 213R with a 213R. I found this one on aliexpress but from some of the reviews I have read about this site it sounds like buying a part from them could be risky as a lot of the parts are not OEM and they arrive defective.
Original New VCD CD Laser Assy KSS 213R Optical pickup KSS213R Laser Len KSS 213R Optical Bloc KSM 213RDP|bloc| - AliExpress
I'm hoping to hear from the forum about their experiences with aliexpress because the last thing I want to do is buy a non OEM or defective part.
Thank you again Mooly and MAACO for your feedback.
I've never used AliExpress so can't say one way or the other but I do know that most KSS replacement pickups you will see are not originals. Even in the 90's we were fitting generic replacements for the KSS210's and similar and to be fair they were fine... but that was a long time ago.
The markets have been flooded with poor parts, particularly for Philips CDM12's and their variations and also the KSS240.
Sorry, that sounds a bit negative... just buy from somewhere that seems reputable.
Donberg is one company that specialises in these kind of things. I've no idea what the difference is between the different versions of the KSS213 which could even be something like different lens suspension characteristics to make the pickup less prone to jumping when used in portable appliances. That was one of the differences with the A and B versions of the KSS210 as I remember and we often interchanged them depending on what was available back in the day.
Dönberg Electronics - Electronic Components and Equipment - UK (GBP)
The markets have been flooded with poor parts, particularly for Philips CDM12's and their variations and also the KSS240.
Sorry, that sounds a bit negative... just buy from somewhere that seems reputable.
Donberg is one company that specialises in these kind of things. I've no idea what the difference is between the different versions of the KSS213 which could even be something like different lens suspension characteristics to make the pickup less prone to jumping when used in portable appliances. That was one of the differences with the A and B versions of the KSS210 as I remember and we often interchanged them depending on what was available back in the day.
Dönberg Electronics - Electronic Components and Equipment - UK (GBP)
Attachments
Hi Mooly,
Yet again I am grateful for your insight and recommendations. That's a shame that most of the replacement parts available are not OEMs. Thanks for your recommendation of Donberg. The more negative reviews I read about aliexpress the more I want to stay away from them.
I did find an option from Sony I am seriously considering. The original CD mechanism is a 8-820-161-02, which is discontinued. I found out the replacement for this mechanism is a 8-820-126-04. The pro is it's OEM and new. The con is I don't actually know if this option would fix my Boombox's problem. I need thinking about this more.
8-820-126-04 Sony Deviceoptical Ksm-213cdp/c2np.
Again, thank you very much for your recommendations, time and expertise!
Best,
-Tim
Yet again I am grateful for your insight and recommendations. That's a shame that most of the replacement parts available are not OEMs. Thanks for your recommendation of Donberg. The more negative reviews I read about aliexpress the more I want to stay away from them.
I did find an option from Sony I am seriously considering. The original CD mechanism is a 8-820-161-02, which is discontinued. I found out the replacement for this mechanism is a 8-820-126-04. The pro is it's OEM and new. The con is I don't actually know if this option would fix my Boombox's problem. I need thinking about this more.
8-820-126-04 Sony Deviceoptical Ksm-213cdp/c2np.
Again, thank you very much for your recommendations, time and expertise!
Best,
-Tim
Only you can decide if its worth taking a chance 
On the plus side you are replacing all the mechanics such as motors and so on. If you do replace the whole thing then write down the connections (colours of wires) to the motors and microswitch and don't try desoldering them as the wires will probably not quickly come off the terminals as they are sometimes wrapped around. Just snip them close and and having stripped a very small part of the insulation solder to the new mech as quickly and cleanly as possible. It is easy to damage the surrounding plastic, particularly on the motor tags.
The new motors should be identically positioned with regard to polarity but check.
Also easily done if you are not used to this kind of work is to accidently just touch the iron accidently on the nylon gears and of course that is instant destruction as they just melt.
On the plus side you are replacing all the mechanics such as motors and so on. If you do replace the whole thing then write down the connections (colours of wires) to the motors and microswitch and don't try desoldering them as the wires will probably not quickly come off the terminals as they are sometimes wrapped around. Just snip them close and and having stripped a very small part of the insulation solder to the new mech as quickly and cleanly as possible. It is easy to damage the surrounding plastic, particularly on the motor tags.
The new motors should be identically positioned with regard to polarity but check.
Also easily done if you are not used to this kind of work is to accidently just touch the iron accidently on the nylon gears and of course that is instant destruction as they just melt.
- Status
- This old topic is closed. If you want to reopen this topic, contact a moderator using the "Report Post" button.