It is not uncommon for readers to offer alternative solutions or suggestions to a question and answer we have published. It is gratifying to receive that input.
It is uncommon, however, to get an avalanche of responses as we have regarding the stuck-CD question.
For readers who missed the original question and answer, we repeat it here, followed by some of the many reader suggestions on how to tackle the problem.
Q-I have a 2003 Ford Expedition, and some time ago I made the mistake of putting in a CD my wife copied for me. It got stuck. I searched the Web for solutions. I found that if I disconnected the battery for about 30 minutes, then had my wife hit eject when I put the battery cables back on, it popped out. Well, I did it again with another CD she made, and the battery trick did not work. Ford said they don’t deal with stuck CDs. They also advised me it was cheaper to buy a whole new unit than to have someone go into the dash and get it unstuck. Can you give some good advice on how to get this CD out?
— M.S., Kissimmee, Fla.
A-Let this be a lesson to the rest of our readers. Do not play CDs that you have burned. Unlike computer and home audio system players, automotive CD players have very close tolerances. Blank CDs come in varying thicknesses and are prone to jam. Add a label and you are courting disaster.
Reader responses
I had this happen on my 2007 Toyota Avalon Limited, which I had repaired through a company in Lady Lake, Fla., that sends the unit out. It cost me $425, but they rebuilt my unit. I have a 2002 Toyota Camry XLS that is a single player and never have had trouble. It’s the multiplayer units that are troublesome. Here is the contact information of the company that sends these units out: Underglass Auto Tech, 330 S. U.S. Highway 27-441, Lady Lake, FL 32159.
—R.R., Lady Lake, Fla.
I have a 2000 Windstar with a six-CD changer. I had similar problems with CDs getting stuck. I learned that you could remove the unit in seconds with a simple tool, which I later purchased at an auto supply store. I was able to easily remove CDs, but, eventually, the unit just had too many problems, so I bought a Sony 10-CD changer that has worked perfectly and has an easily removed cartridge to facilitate changing the CD program.
— D.W., Chicago
I have found that a business card held in the slot on the side where the CD sticks helps it slide out.
— S.O., Aurora, Ill.
I have a 1999 Mustang GT with the 460 Mach sound system, and sometimes a CD will not come out. I take another CD and place it in front of the sensor located in the entrance slot of the player and press eject. After one or two attempts, the stuck CD comes out.
— G.S., Chicago
I listen to books on CD from my local library which have a label on them. Occasionally, my CD player will not eject them. I have found that pressing the eject button and the power button at the same time works. Unfortunately, the player in the car does not have a manual eject like those on computers.
— K.S., Bath, Pa.
I had a similar problem with my 2002 Ford Explorer. I took my vehicle to Factory Car Stereo Repair Inc. in Longwood, Fla. The first time I went there, Kevin took the CD player out, cleaned and lubricated it and didn’t charge me. That fix lasted about a year and a half. When I brought it back, he fixed it for $200 and gave me a 12-month warranty. Perhaps this will help M.S.
—W.M., Winter Park, Fla.
M.S. can contact Mullinax Ford in Kissimmee, Fla., to have the radio repaired. They will have it out of the vehicle for three or four days. The dealer will send it to United Radio in Georgia for repairs. Not sure of the charges. If he is from Chicago and can wait till he gets home, try Chicago Parts & Sound in Wood Dale, Ill. They are our factory-authorized radio repair station.
— Paul Spora, Hawk Ford Parts Warehouse, Downers Grove, Ill.
I have a 2004 Mustang and have experienced the same problem of stuck CDs. I have found that a simple hit to the area of the radio dislodges the CD. A little hammer goes a long way sometimes.
— G.B., Newington, Conn.
A-Ah, impact engineering strikes again.
I, too, had a CD stuck in my Accord six-CD changer. The CD player was useless, and I was ready to take it out and open up the CD chassis box to fix or buy a new one until I came across a YouTube video that worked. I used a thin putty knife to wiggle the stuck CD, and it worked better than using another CD as seen in the video. It was the usual culprit, a homemade CD with a paper label. Here is the link: you?tube.com/watch?v=FQGIaSZGldM.
— D.P., Palos Park, Ill.
A-There you have it. Plenty of ideas for removing recalcitrant CDs. But better yet, keep your homemade CDs in the house and play the originals in the car.
Bob Weber is an ASE-certified master automobile technician. Send questions to Motormouth, Rides, Chicago Tribune, 435 N. Michigan Ave., fifth floor, Chicago, IL 60611, or e-mail with name and town to motormouth.trib@verizon.net.
