Audio System - CD Player Functional Problems
No: TSB-02-54-009DATE: November, 2002
MODEL: All With CD Players
SUBJECT:
CD PLAYER FUNCTION PROBLEMS
PURPOSE & BACKGROUND
This bulletin contains information concerning functional problems which can occur on any CD player without an actual defect or malfunction of the CD player itself.
These problems or complaints may be related to how the customer uses the CD player. Read the following carefully. If the condition relates to one of the items listed in this bulletin, instruct the customer on the proper usage of the CD player. This is important. Some of the improper usage items listed below can cause damage to the CD player.
AFFECTED VEHICLES
All Vehicles with CD Players
SERVICE INFORMATION
1. Commercial Music CD: Shape (Promotional CDs, etc.)
Unusually shaped CDs (discs that are not ROUND) can cause mechanical problems such as:
- CD inoperative
- CD won't load
- CD won't eject
DO NOT use CDs which are not round. Advise customers that the use of oddly-shaped CDs can cause problems or malfunctions of the CD player.
2. Commercial Music CD: Quality
^ Stick-on Labels - A poor quality disc with an improperly adhered label, or one with a poorly placed label can cause disc skip conditions. DO NOT use discs with labels that are poorly attached or not adhered properly.
^ Burrs - Burrs on the inside or outside of the disc may cause mechanical problems such as:
- CD inoperative
- CD won't load
- CD won't eject
Remove any "burrs" on the inside or outside of the disc. Use the edge of a pencil or ball point pen as shown.
^ Damaged, Deformed, Cracked, Warped Discs - Check each disc. There should be no cracks, scratches, deformities (like warped discs), etc. Make sure the disc is flat. Any of these conditions can cause CD load, eject, inoperative problems. Deformities or damage can occur during disc production, by leaving discs in a hot vehicle, or by improper disc handling or care. Discs with any of these conditions should not be used.
3. Commercial Music CD: Disc Size
Most commercially available music CDs are 4.7 inches in diameter. Less common are the 3 inch CD "singles". Some factory installed CD players in Mitsubishi vehicles can play both the 4.7 inch and 3 inch CDs, while other CD players CANNOT play the smaller 3 inch disc. BE SURE TO CHECK THE OWNER'S MANUAL FOR THE VEHICLE TO SEE WHAT SIZE DISC THE FACTORY INSTALLED CD PLAYER CAN PLAY SUCCESSFULLY DO NOT insert a 3 inch diameter CD into a CD player which is not compatible.
4. Home-Recorded CD-R/RW
QUALITY
Home-recorded CDs (CD-R & CD-RW) were originally designed for home computer usage. Use of home-recorded CDs in an automotive CD player may result in a variety of problems. In other cases the CD-R/RW may perform satisfactorily. Most CD players in 2001, 2002, and 2003 model year vehicles should be able to play CD-R discs, however not all CD-R and CD-RW are equal. Quality and the ability of the disc to be played in automotive
CD players depends on the type of recorder used to create the disc, the recording speed (write speed), the quality of the blank CD used, etc.
When you receive a complaint, ask the the following questions to help determine the source of the problem:
^ Is the disc scratched? Does the problem occur at the same place on the disc?
If yes, advise the customer not to use the damaged/scratched disc.
^ Does the problem always occur on the same road?
If yes, the road is probably bumpy which will cause skipping. This can be expected.
^ Is there a label or sticker on the disc?
Make sure the label is applied properly; not peeling; swelling or bubbled. Using discs with stick-on labels is not recommended.
^ What was the recording method?
Try to determine recording speed. Slower recording speed/times produce better CDs.
^ Does the reported problem or condition occur in another car audio system?
If yes, check for burrs, scratches, or damage on the disc.
LABELS/STICKERS
After recording CD-R/RW, customers may put a label/ sticker on the disc to write titles or songs on for disc identification. If the quality of the label/sticker is poor, or the label/ sticker is applied improperly, the CD mechanism may have problems such as CD inoperative, CD won't load, CD won't eject, etc.
Please advise customers to remove loose or peeling labels or stickers. Even if the label/sticker is applied properly it may still cause problems to the CD mechanism. If the label/ sticker is peeled up by the CD player the CD mechanism can jam. Also, it is possible that the disc may become warped due to stress of the label's adhesive, causing the disc to skip.
Use of labels or stickers is not recommended.
WARRANTY INFORMATION
This bulletin is for information only. No special warranty applies.
Problems or conditions with the CD player mechanism related to improper use of the CD player (use of improperly attached or damaged stickers of labels, unusually shaped CDs, incorrectly-sized CDs, etc.) are not covered under the Basic New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
For more information about CD player performance and usage, refer customers to their vehicle's owner's manual