How to fix a radio CD player

[kap]

Yes, you read that right! I need to resuscitate this box of plastic with stereo sound. This is an authentic 2001 relic boombox. It's still around simply because there is no budget for a new one. The radio is still working beautifully. The CD functionality is intermittent, i.e. the disc spins but the system cranks out the sound intermittently. When it does the sound fluctuates. I haven't tried the cassette. I have no cassettes for a test run . What else should I attempt before I have it euthanized?

[space-time]

clean the lens.

Open the CD door and put the whole thing in dishwasher. Run the heavy duty cycle.

[kap]

Rubbing Alcohol solution? I already delivered the bad news to the owner, a co-teacher at one of my jobs, that I might have to junk it.

[Carnos Jax]

I know this doesn't help, but since you mentioned how yours was a relic...I still have a Panasonic DS30 'boombox' CD player, cassette & radio that STILL cranks since I got it in 1987. All functions going smoothly, and it was heavily used from my college years and several years after that and is still used (though the cassette and CD mechanisms are only used several times a year anymore). No blown speakers or even external signs of wear (all the labels are in tact, hell it looks new). Amazing...

[testcase]

Next he'll want you to fix his ZUNE ::o

[space-time]

Panasonic... I had very good luck with Panasonic, not so much with Sony.

[kap]

Tho' looks beaten, my 12 year old Panasonic battery operated pencil sharpener is still going and going and going. The new ones these days are made to last a few weeks.

Thanks goodness, my coworker, SHE owns an iTouch.

[Black]

space-time wrote:
Panasonic... I had very good luck with Panasonic, not so much with Sony.

Pretty much everything "Sony" I've ever owned failed in short order.

Except the stereo that came in my '83 Civic-- which actually sounded great until it was stolen.

[Buzz]

Our 1989 ('88? ) Sony radio/cassette/CD boombox went on the fritz several months ago, just the radio part, the CD works fine... maybe you can swap the components out :-). Haven't tried the cassette since the mid 90's, so no clue on its status. Sounds like something dirty and/or out of adjustment w/ your CD... I'm thinking bum switch or blown tuner w/ ours for radio.

///

[Rolando]

My 1986? Yellow Sony Sport Cassette boombox had the tape player stop working after only 10 years. It still functions as a radio. I'm thinking about drilling a hole so I can use a cassette adapter to it!