CD's stuck in head unit

[dakotanut]

Recently got this 03' Explorer Sport. The CD player doesn't work and I was told that there are some CD's stuck inside of it. Any way to get them out with out destroying the stock radio? I'd like to keep it for awhile if I can. I'll upgrade it later when I get all of the bugs and stuff worked out of the vehicle. So far it's ok. It is a Ford though. LMAO I've owned many too.

 

[dakotanut]

Anyone?

 

[Texasryan]

I used a 2 butter knives. It's not safe...
I wouldn't recommend it but it can get the cd's out. My Father has a 6 cd changer in his truck and i had to go through each one of the holders and use a butter knife to pull them out. They are slim enough to get inside, and heavy enough to grab hold of it.

 

[jrford]

i've got a post somewhere . . .i'll see if i can find it.

Essentially the radio comes apart rather easily. Once broken down you can get to the CD's. But these changers can be fixed so i wouldn't destroy too much imo. If you go that route they will remove the cd for you. Its about $120 or so . . .quick turnaround. Mine is still working after 4 years.

 

[Crutchfield Vlad]

If it's not ejecting with power, then your only option would be to take it apart. You would be less inclined to damage it than using a knife or tweezers pulling it from the slot. Usually you can remove the case then the powersupply and whatever else to get to the disk. I have worked on aftermarket headunits so the factory should be the same. Worst case if it ends up being damaged or not working let me know and I’ll be happy to help you find an aftermarket replacement.

 

[dakotanut]

We are looking for an aftermarket replacement actually. It will be a birthday present for my daughter. I would like it to have Ipod connection, HD built in, and Bluetooth built in. I'm not picky about the rest. It can or not have CD player. It needs to be compatible with the Ford Explorer Sport XLT stuff cause I'm not gonna change any of that. I believe it is Pioneer in it from the Owners manual. I'll pull it and see if I can fix it. I just fixed the tray on an XBOX 360. Where do I take it to be fixed?

 

[Crutchfield Vlad]

dakotanut Hope we got everything covered through PM. Let me know if there is anything else I can help with.

 

[dakotanut]

Yes. We bought a new head unit and so far nothing but trouble from it. I have to look at it and the vehicle today.

 

[tracycali]

Have the Mach 460 6 cd changer in my '03 Cobra vert and had the same problem with burned CD's. Factory CD's work just fine. Maybe difference in thickness, slight warp or some other physical dimension? Anyway I ended up making a thin cardboard shim (cracker box cardboard, I believe) shaped like an elongated D (using a CD for the template of the curved part) and stuck the curved part in the slot while hitting the eject button for the stuck CD's (push lightly a number of times until you can get the shim under the problem CD). It eventually ejects. Hope this helps.

 

[CADILLACPAPA]

Cool idea!

Have the Mach 460 6 cd changer in my '03 Cobra vert and had the same problem with burned CD's. Factory CD's work just fine. Maybe difference in thickness, slight warp or some other physical dimension? Anyway I ended up making a thin cardboard shim (cracker box cardboard, I believe) shaped like an elongated D (using a CD for the template of the curved part) and stuck the curved part in the slot while hitting the eject button for the stuck CD's (push lightly a number of times until you can get the shim under the problem CD). It eventually ejects. Hope this helps.

I will try this on mine and let you know. Thanks!