Stock DVD player in an '04 Explorer - PLEASE HELP!

[breakawaystudio]

I just bought this vehicle yesterday. 2004 Explorer Limited. Actually late last night, I haven't even had it 24 hours yet. LOVE LOVE LOVE it already! Original owner took great care of it, it's immaculate and runs like a charm. She told me when I bought it that the DVD player didn't work, so I took her word for it and started talking to audio/video shops today looking for a new one. Tonight I stuck a DVD in for kicks and giggles and this is what is happening:
The screen comes on with the welcome screen "Ford Motor Company"
If I put in a CD, the CD control comes up, showing the song being played, etc., and it comes through the speakers, works great!
If I put in a DVD, it scans the disk for a minute, then comes up with an icon on the top left indicating that there is no disk in the player. Seems like a fairly simple fix to me but I don't know what that would be! Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance!

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! I've moved your thread into the audio & navigation section. It sounds like the player can't read DVD format. Most songs should be on regular CDs, while DVDs usually contain videos.

 

[breakawaystudio]

Thank you for your reply. Yes, I know DVD's contain movies and CD's contain music. I know CD players are for music and DVD players will play both. However, the problem here is that my DVD player is working with CD's but not DVD's even though it has in the past. I have talked to a few audio/video techs and they think that when the change was stuck in the player it damaged the lens, or it is just wearing out, and will require an entire replacement.

 

[snickstx]

I'd try to clean the laser first. You can pick up a kit for around $10. If that doesn't change anything, and you're the least bit mechanically incline, replacing the DVD player isn't that great of a task. LKQ units can be found on eBay and other places online.

 

[breakawaystudio]

snickstx- the way this one is installed, I think I'm going to have to take off the whole roof liner to get to it. And I really don't want to do that. There are no screws holding it on that I can see.

 

[snickstx]

You don't have to drop the headliner. But try cleaning the laser first and report your results before worrying about the bigger issues. Also, make sure to test with a few different clean, factory pressed DVDs.

 

[jrford]

Sitting in the 2nd row, looking forward on the left, there is one screw in the DVD Storage bin, two by the screen and then on the right a couple of tabs. Remove screws slide unit to left should free it.

after you free the thing, you might get lucky and you can remove just the player itself and ship that off for repair? Save on shipping. Had to do it with the HU 6cd player only cost $80 for a repair.

or they pop up on fleabay for about 200 clams or so.