Bose CD mechanical problems

[Black94]

I've got the same problem... I just bought a '94 with the Delco Bose AM/FM/Cassette/CD (U1F). Everything works great except for the CD player. It will not pull the CD into the player.

I've had the thing apart a few times, and thought that I'd see a mechanical trip lever of some sort that senses the existence of the CD which activates the rollers and pulls it in. I cannot find any such mechanical device.

If I apply 12 volts directly to the motor that drives the rollers, the CD will pull in just fine, so I know the motor is OK. I just don't know what activates it!

Does anyone know if the laser senses the CD, then activates the rollers to pull it in? If so, I don't suspect I'll be able to fix it myself.

I did check out your 'Doctor Don's' suggestion, however, and it looks like he can handle the repair for $150 plus $12 for shipping (per the web site). That beats the $300+ repair services I've seen elswhere, but I'd sure like to put that money towards a Hurst shifter, instead

 

[Arcangel224]

YOUR RIGHT BOSE DOES SUCK

Best Advice.....strip that crap out of there, wires and all. Why A car like a Corvette would put that proprietary junk in there is beyond me.

Put some pioneer 4 1/2s in the front, Pioneer 6 x 9s in the back, a good 200 watt amp and a pair of Fosgate 12's in a box.

Top that off with a Kenwood, Alpine or Pioneer CD player and your rockin.

I have all the above but I have a Neo MP3 player that holds about 5000 songs. That way I dont have cd's in the car all over the place. Plus I got what I want to hear when I want to hear it, at my finger tips.

Good Luck!

 

[searay270]

Try EBay

Hi Black94,

I got my CD fixed by bidding on one of Dr. Don's EBay offerings - he typically starts at $110, and gets 1 or 2 bids. I lucked out at $112.50 for the same $150 service after the thrid try. I cannot speak highly enough of his service. I do believe he replaced the CD unit, and all other pieces were gone over, such as the cassette.

I went through the same thing you did - tried to figure out why the CD would not pull in. Frustration plus! Save yourself the agrevation! Save your energy for getting the front trim off without damaging it! Good explanations elswhere in the archives.

Now, my CD is acting up in my Yukon - only 1 year old. Only plays 25% of the time, and it must be warm inside for it to even think about working.

Good luck!

Jack

 

[Black94]

Thanks guys! As much as I'd like to scrap everything and replace it with new, I think I'll take the Doctor Don's route (if I were made of money, I'd have that big block split window '63).

I was just out to EBay looking for his offering, and came up blank. I searched for 'Dr. Don', 'Doctor Don', 'Bose', etc, etc, etc. Could you please let me know what I should be looking for? Are his auctions pretty regular?

 

[rdgfx3]

This may sound a little crazy.
If your Bose unit spits your CDs out,get a can of that compressed air at the computer store or wherever.Make sure to get a can that has the straw .Put the extension straw on the nozzle then stick it in your CD slot a little bit or more and blast away.

Don't shake the can or disturb the can in any manner as to spray moisture that can build up in these products.Then you would have to wait for the moisture to dissapate before testing the unit to see if it works.

This has worked for me the past couple of months or so.Sometimes I have to press the play or the seek and/or the scan buttons to get the disc started,but it has worked in my case.

Also,if in your case the CD player won't even begin to pull the disc in,it may think it already has one in it.Press the eject button and see if it cycles.Sometimes that works,at least in my case.

OK,now flame me.I'm just tryin' to help.

 

[Rob]

Yep, I've heard of using compressed air to clean the unit out as well.

 

[Black94]

Thanks rdqfx3, but I've tried all that, and then some. I've blown out the unit with my air hose (!), and have taken it completely apart... three times. I've hit every combination of buttons I could think of, and the CD still will not pull into the unit. Whatever trips the roller motor is not working, so I give up... it's off to Dr. Don's as soon as I can find his EBay offerings (no rush... my entire world is encased in ice and snow for the next few months). I'll let you guys know how I make out.

 

[rdgfx3]

Yea,I gotta give it to ya.It's fkd.Sorry you're havin'such a rough time.
I'll be there one day.It's inevitable.

If you are keeping it stock,do yourself a favor and buy a Bazooka self powered subwoofer.It really makes the factory Bose system sound 10 times better.I have the 10" sub with an optional volume control.Really glad I decided to get the Bazooka.:dance

 

[searay270]

Dr Don Auction

It appears that the good Doc has raised his price slightly to $130 - he currently has one up here:

cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dllViewItem&item=3005774959&category=3293

Tect is as follows:

Bidding is for the Repair/Restoration of One 1991 to 1996 Delco Bose Gold Series Corvette Compact Disc/Cassette Stereo > One Year Warranty < Includes Replacement of ALL Defective or Worn Components/Belts, and Illumination Bulbs, CD ERR Repair. Relubrication of all Mechanical Assemblies. Clean,Align,and Adjust! Supporting Many Exclusive Corvette Dealerships. Check our Feedback. We are Corvette Radio Specialists. Call or Email Questions (936)435-1811 >service@doctordons.com< Winning bidder add $12 shipping and insurance for return of Your Restored Stereo. Include Check or Money Order with your Stereo. Texas Residents Must Add 8.25% State Sales Tax.

Item # 3005774959 . I don't know how to paste the URL, sorry. Perhaps someone can share this with me. There are also 3 other repair auctions in the same list by Dr. Don - you should not have any problem getting one of them - they just end on different days.

Type in - corvette +bose +repair - as the search, and it will all come up for you to see.

Even if you have to pay the full $150, it is definitely worth it, in hy opinion. You simply cannot beat his service.

I hope I have helped!

Jack

 

[Black94]

Thanks guys! I have a 10" JBL sub in my '86 S10 Blazer. It has a long wire so I can move it around, and is really easy to remove. I thought about throwing it in the Vette, but it's not powered. Maybe I'll pick up a small amp to power it instead of getting a Bazooka... I don't know. Then I'll have to figure out how to hook it all up without blowing something (this Bose system is weird).
As for the EBay Dr. Don's auction, I'll check it out and let you know. I sure appreciate the info! ;worship

 

[bradfordsvettes]

just got my delco bose gold system back for the 92 dr dons did the repair great job also had him upgrade the system to play burned cds he said the replacement cd head was similar to the c5s player. reads faster ,plays burned and originals cds . is still origjnal sounds great the upgrade was an additional $150 but worth it to me Steve

 

[vms4evr]

just got my delco bose gold system back for the 92 dr dons did the repair great job also had him upgrade the system to play burned cds he said the replacement cd head was similar to the c5s player. reads faster ,plays burned and originals cds . is still origjnal sounds great the upgrade was an additional $150 but worth it to me Steve

You mean my factory Bose w/CD player won't play burned CDs? I have to pay 150 for a rebuild and another 150 to upgrade?
I thought I heard folks say that the C4 Boses system will play burned CDs.
Graham

 

[JRMaroon]

The Bose in my '94 will play homemade CD's. I don't know if this is any different than the system in your '92.

 

[Black94]

Holy crap, I'm a winner! :Twist Rather than try and outbid the high bidder of the present auction (why goof him up), I decided to start the next auction at $130, and I won :Twist

Guess I'll be shipping out the head unit in a few days (no way tomorrow... 18-24" of snow falling... not exactly Vette weather in North East PA). I'll keep ya' posted.

 

[vms4evr]

Does anyone know what the actual CD player vendor and part number is. Rumor has it that the CD player unit is just an inexpensive Panasonic unit. Seems if you knw the right number you could just replace it. Probably oversimplifying this but I doubt the CD part shouldn't even cost $50.
Graham

 

[rdgfx3]

I can't wait to see if vms4evr gets an answer to his question.

Say,is gambling allowed on this BBS?If so,I want to put some money on this one.I will be very surprised if we find out where we can get replacement CD mechanisms for our ailing original CD units.I'll be even more surprised if they will sell them to us.:nono

That would be toooooo easy.:duh

But,I certainly do hope we can get these units.I'll get one.

 

[rdgfx3]

I thought I heard folks say that the C4 Boses system will play burned CDs.

My 90 model will play CD-R,but not CD-RW.

 

[Black94]

I've had this thing apart a few times, and there were no markings on the CD drive to identify it. In my '94, the head unit casing has a few different labels...

Delco Electronics
97AZZY
Dept 2659
MBY1 R
PKG 16172721
Assembled in Mexico

Model# 16172721
Serial# 1016896
Product ID# [blank]

P/N 16172721- Eq 8
PASSE /6
30 May 1994 13:14:39

I suppose the CD drive could be just about anything, but the mounting holes, front slot, and wiring harnesses would have to be exactly correct for a replacement to work. I wouldn't know where to get one anyway. I asked a few salvage yards if they would sell me just the CD drive, and they refused. I'm also worried that the drive may be OK, but an electrical circuit outside of the CD drive may be causing the problem. No... it's off to Doctor Don's before my head explodes...

 

[searay270]

Good decision - I've been through the same thought process, and electronics is my other hobby!

Jack

 

[vms4evr]

Thanks for posting the info Black94. I'll start digging...

I'll probably end up just sending the unit off to Dr. D but before I do I'm going to inspect my unit also and go hunting. I'm sure the General and Bose have no intention of sharing the info with us. I'll bet on that part Richard

If I come up with anything useful I'll let you all know so we can figure out who won the bet. So what odds am I getting Richard ?

Graham