Rear CD changer - repair and/or replace?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,074
Likes: 1,558
From: Poway CA
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Rear CD changer - repair and/or replace?
The rear CD changer in my 98 finally took a dirt nap.
It has 12 of my favorite discs stuck inside right now.
I removed the unit from the car, and will try to free them.
My preference would be to REPLACE the unit with something that uses solid state digital storage for the music, but can connect on the existing harness in the rear.
Does this exist?
I found the "Discount Car Stereo" website that sells harnesses to add aux inputs, or bluetooth.. but you must have a working 12 disk changer to use these!
I found some old threads.. but nothing too cool.
Also, has anyone repaired/refurbed one of these units?
Thanks,
Fred
It has 12 of my favorite discs stuck inside right now.
I removed the unit from the car, and will try to free them.
My preference would be to REPLACE the unit with something that uses solid state digital storage for the music, but can connect on the existing harness in the rear.
Does this exist?
I found the "Discount Car Stereo" website that sells harnesses to add aux inputs, or bluetooth.. but you must have a working 12 disk changer to use these!
I found some old threads.. but nothing too cool.
Also, has anyone repaired/refurbed one of these units?
Thanks,
Fred
Last edited by SDVette; Jun 3, 2021 at 03:49 PM.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: Poway CA
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I'd still like to replace the thing.. It is 23 years old, and the CD-format is dying.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,320
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From: NW Chicago
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15
Discount stereo has different options, some you keep the player and some you remove the player, I know for sure for an iPod, remember those. That's what I have now but, want to upgrade to the bluetooth version in the future, I think they're back ordered the last time I checked. My Ipod has like 5000 songs on it and I keep it in the ash tray, sure better than cd's. Might be worth another look.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: Poway CA
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Just to update.. It was a challenge, but I was able to extract my discs from the unit.
It took a combination of banging on it, re-connecting the power... more banging... then eventually, just muscling out the last 1-2 discs and caddies.
That thing is a mechanical work-of-art! Lots going on in that thing to move those discs around. Scary, in fact!
I put it back together, and it seems to work OK.
Still looking for a replacement that plugs into the rear and provides Bluetooth input without needed the CD changer to be present.
It took a combination of banging on it, re-connecting the power... more banging... then eventually, just muscling out the last 1-2 discs and caddies.
That thing is a mechanical work-of-art! Lots going on in that thing to move those discs around. Scary, in fact!
I put it back together, and it seems to work OK.
Still looking for a replacement that plugs into the rear and provides Bluetooth input without needed the CD changer to be present.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,411
Likes: 412
From: Horseshoe Bend ID
You can try something like this. Don't know if they make a bluetooth one.
https://www.discountcarstereo.com/pxdp-c5.html
https://www.discountcarstereo.com/pxdp-c5.html
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 12,864
Likes: 4,668
Just to update.. It was a challenge, but I was able to extract my discs from the unit.
It took a combination of banging on it, re-connecting the power... more banging... then eventually, just muscling out the last 1-2 discs and caddies.
That thing is a mechanical work-of-art! Lots going on in that thing to move those discs around. Scary, in fact!
I put it back together, and it seems to work OK.
Still looking for a replacement that plugs into the rear and provides Bluetooth input without needed the CD changer to be present.
It took a combination of banging on it, re-connecting the power... more banging... then eventually, just muscling out the last 1-2 discs and caddies.
That thing is a mechanical work-of-art! Lots going on in that thing to move those discs around. Scary, in fact!
I put it back together, and it seems to work OK.
Still looking for a replacement that plugs into the rear and provides Bluetooth input without needed the CD changer to be present.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,074
Likes: 1,558
From: Poway CA
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You can try something like this. Don't know if they make a bluetooth one.
https://www.discountcarstereo.com/pxdp-c5.html
https://www.discountcarstereo.com/pxdp-c5.html
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Drifting
Joined: Mar 2018
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From: New Jersey
You can buy a $20 Bluetooth adapter that plugs into the cigarette lighter that allows you to play internet music from your phone or music stored on your phone. They work pretty good and no wiring needs to be added. Just need to connect the adapter to the radio via an unused FM channel and the phone to the adapter via the Bluetooth. Do it once and phone will automatically connect to the Bluetooth adapter.
Instructor
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 106
Likes: 95
From: Bellingham, WA
You can buy a $20 Bluetooth adapter that plugs into the cigarette lighter that allows you to play internet music from your phone or music stored on your phone. They work pretty good and no wiring needs to be added. Just need to connect the adapter to the radio via an unused FM channel and the phone to the adapter via the Bluetooth. Do it once and phone will automatically connect to the Bluetooth adapter.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: Poway CA
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Thanks for the input guys.. I have always thought those FM modulator devices they were cheesy too... but it's easy to try, and little to loose.
Fred
Fred