CD player runs hot?

[jedi]

My CD player runs real hot! It's the stock model AC/Delco in a 95. When I eject the CDs they are almost too hot to hold. Anyone else experiance this? Any suggestions?
Jedi

 

[BlackNBlue95]

never had that problem with mine on my 95.. i have had problems with it not recognizing CD's.. i would probably take it out and send it to a rebuilder..

 

[geekinavette]

I have three different car CD players...all of them get the disc really hot when ejected, even the 2002 TrailBlazer does it (other 2 are aftermarket).

Bill

 

[Eagle85C4]

Keep in mind that the cd is being subjected to a laser light which will cause a certain amount of heat....

 

[jedi]

This is more then normal. I don't have this much heat in all of my other CD players. On the vette the CDs are all most too hot to handle when you first pull them out.

 

[geekinavette]

Keep in mine that the cd is being subjected to a laser light which will cause a certain amount of heat....

Ahhh yes, excellent point. However, the laser operates at only about 0.7mW output, and operates in the near-infrared range (about 780nM wavelength). This is not sufficient to cause a "noticeable" increase in heating of the CD. I believe what is causing the heat is the audio amplifiers inside the car audio deck. Take for example the CDROM in your computer...it doesn't cause the discs to get hot (even reading at 1X speed). What's different: no audio amplifiers. Also, when I remove a disc from the CD-writer it's not hot...and the writer uses a much higher power level from the laser, sometimes up to 40mW (pulsed) at high writing speeds (for CDR, CDRW is a little less). Granted, CDR material is a little different from a standard audio CD or CDROM (stamped aluminum)...don't know how much difference that makes.

In my case all three of the car CD decks use the deck's amplified outputs. I'd be willing to bet that if the amplified outputs were not used (by only using the pre-amp outputs) then the discs would not get as hot.

Just thinkin' out-loud here.

Bill

 

[Eagle85C4]

Good thought... But the audio amps are usually heat sinled to a large piece of aluminum that is attached to the cover of the unit for heat dissipation. Another possibility is determined by how much the unit has been used, the motor that spins the cd id directly attached to the platter on which the cd rests. If the brishes are bad or there is any binding at all could cause the motor to run hot and dissipate heat to everything touching it.
Good way to test is leave a cd in the unit but do not play it. Play the radio instead. If the cd comes out hot...amps, but if it comes out cool then the cd motor. Now use the cd and check it again, if it comes out hot...then I would think the motor may be going. At any rate you should remove the unit and do a through cleaning inside of it. If you have a wiring schematic hook 12 volts to the unit on a bench with the case open and feel for where the heat is coming. If you would like, send it to me and I will find out what is doing this and repair it for you. You pay shipping both ways. No labor charges for CAC members. Parts are also extra....

 

[Ken]

The CD player in my truck also runs a bit warm. I too thought at first soimething was wrong.

_ken

 

[Eagle85C4]

Ken...

If it gets worse or quits , I would be happy to look at it for you...same deal...you take care of shipping...labor free to CAC members.

 

[Ken]

Thanks, but it seems to be working fine. It's just that the area behind the dash in today's cars gets pretty warm, that's why mine seems warm at least.

_ken

 

[Eagle85C4]

You might consider a muffin fan from Radio shack...they have them in 12 volts and various sizes. A small one bolted to the heat sink could keep it cool in the hot Ca. sun...