2007 Ford Explorer Limited Navigation DVD Failed

Today when I was driving home I heard a whirring sound coming from the dash near the radio/GPS. I looked around but could not pinpoint what it was until a DVD disk error popped up on the touch screen. I removed the disk and it was clean with no scratches or anything wrong with it. I then paced it back in the slot and heard the noise again with the same error popping up. I guess the DVD reader for the Navigation failed. I found replacement stock units for it for $900. That is just crazy, but what can I do?
I was wondering after spending hours looking, what after market radio/GPS/Entertainment systems might bolt right up to it. I am not sure what radio head unit i have except that I have entertainment system, sub woofer, Sirius, pretty much loaded. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated...

First off, if the radio still works, it may just have a dirty reader. Try inserting a cleaning disc. That's a cheap thing to try before buying a whole new head unit.

DjDom said:

First off, if the radio still works, it may just have a dirty reader. Try inserting a cleaning disc. That's a cheap thing to try before buying a whole new head unit.

Click to expand...

I did not know that you could do that. never heard of a cleaning disk. I'll look for one tomorrow. Thanks!

Found this post and this is my exact problem:
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=3324604#post3324604

OK so I purchased a Laser Lens Cleaner and ran it in the system for a few minutes. Didn't work. I called a stereo repair facility and the person told me that it sounds like a hardware failure because of the noise and that makes sense.
I decided that since I was going to send it out for repair that I would try one other thing. I took my high pressure air nozzle and after removing the nav dvd I blew 90 psi in the slot. I put the dvd back in and would you believe it worked...It still makes a lower noise now, but it works. When it goes I will send it out. Oh and the repair will cost $400 with no warranty.

Hey. Been a month since you blew air into it. Is it still working? I had a similar issue when I bought my car 2 years ago. http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=373074 Mine has never worked though. After mine got locked out and I had to have the dealer restore it, I haven't touched the nav menu since. Since I don't listen to CD's anymore, I just have a very fancy FM radio. If there was a reasonable fix though I'd be willing to try it.