Factory CD player issue

[nicksender]

Howdy,
My factory 6-disc CD changer won't let me load a CD and it will not display/eject the one CD I have loaded. When I press Load or Eject all I get is an "Initializing" message and than nothing. Any ideas on what this might be and how to fix it cheaply?
Thanks!

 

[Wayne64SS]

yea, mines all ****ed up too. been like that since i got it. Replace with another stocker is prolly your cheapest bet, but what's the point, they suck anyway.

 

[03zincyellowsvt]

ive heard you can disconnect the battery and itll reset it. not 100% sure how well it works i havent tried it

 

[99NCLightning]

man they are a piece of shit, mine does the same thing took it apart one time started working again for like two or three months then went back to doing the same thing

 

[Tabasco65]

The mechanism Ford uses in the in-dash six disc changers is garbage. I have replaced numerous factory units for this same exact problem. It's not just the ones in our cars, it's all the in-dash changers. Your cheapest bet is to go with a low end aftermarket. If you just have to have the changer, Pioneer made one that was a 6 disc CD/DVD changer with a 7-inch screen, but the mechanism was basically the same as the factory Ford.

 

[nicksender]

Thanks for everyone's help. I will take a shot at unplugging the entire unit and firing it back up. The more I read across general Ford forums this is a re-occurring problem for these systems even in newer and different vehicles. If I can't get it back working I'm going to the aftermarket as I'm not interested in a replacement. Too bad the 03's don't have the adapter in the back for MP3 devices.

Maybe I'll put my 2.8" pulley paperweight on and I can listen to the increased volume from the Eaton!

 

[nicksender]

Well, someone on another board suggested, uh, smacking the side of the console next to the CD player when it is initializing. I was skeptical, but didn't care if the CD player was toast anyway.

It worked by getting a little forceful with it and now it recognizes and plays my CD's. I guess I have to consider looking for an aftermarket replacement as the problem I had is supposed to be the prelude to it quitting for good.