Noob and the Snowball's CD changer

[tjmelena]

OK folks, on our 1000 mile trip to the Snowbelt from Legendland I was enjoying afew CDs. I won't offend you with an old fart's music choices, but midway back (Virginia/West Virginia) the CDs started skipping.

So I thought I'd ask the electronically inclined for a little help;
1) Call me stupid (or cautious) but rather than break the changer, can somebody give me a "quiki wiki" on how to pull the CD changer?
2) Once its out, how does the case open?
3) Any ideas what might be wrong......... component cleaning maybe???
4) If I gotta use a soldering gun to fix it, I'll let you guys know what hospital to send flowers to while I recover from my self-inflicted burns

Looking forward to your to your thoughts

[Captain Slow]

The changer is pretty easy to take out. There are four bolts at the base of the unit in the four corners and a single cable to disconnect. You peal the carpeting in that area back to gain easy access to the bolts.

The changer has a mechanism that you switch to reflect the mounting orientation. If that is in the correct position, it must be a problem with the inner workings. I've never taken a changer apart but a CD reader is pretty simple. It's a lens on a track that moves back and forth. Something must either be loose or worn out.

It's an adventure! Just organize the screws you take out and move slowly. When reassembling, don't over-tighten any screws that thread into plastic. Also, if you're a dummy and strip a screw head, you can take a file to a couple sides of the screw head and use a wrench on it.

It's worth mentioning, there are three different CD changers that plug into the legend. The stock alpine that only plays pressed CDs, an aftermarket alpine that can play burned CDs, and an aftermarket alpine that can play burned MP3 CDs. If things don't work out with your repair, an upgrade might be in order.

[tjmelena]

thanks Captain, You're a gentleman and a scholar. But that's coming from a lawyer so take it for what it's worth.

Tim

[tjmelena]

By the way......

What are the 2 replacement disc changers?

[Captain Slow]

CHM-S630 - plays burnt CDs - Plug and play - m-bus plug (this is what the legend is pre-wired with)
CHA-S634 - plays burnt+MP3 CDs - requires ai-net to m-bus adapter

They seem to be getting harder to find and there may be other more modern solutions available with a different adapter. You could post a WTB on the forum, though, or scan through ebay. It looks like they sell for $50-100.

[94LegendaryAcuraGS]

Originally Posted by Captain Slow

CHM-S630 - plays burnt CDs - Plug and play - m-bus plug (this is what the legend is pre-wired with)
CHA-S634 - plays burnt+MP3 CDs - requires ai-net to m-bus adapter

They seem to be getting harder to find and there may be other more modern solutions available with a different adapter. You could post a WTB on the forum, though, or scan through ebay. It looks like they sell for $50-100.

I learned something new today! That is why there are a couple different cd changers and I suppose the ones that are "Alpine" in cosmetic appearance! Good to know this Ken!

[tjmelena]

Thanks Ken

[tjmelena]

Ken,
Do you know if CD cartridge from OEM can be used with either CHM-S630 or CHA-S634?

[Captain Slow]

I never owned the OEM unit so I'm not sure. I know the magazines are interchangeable between the two units I mentioned. Hopefully someone else can chime in.

[4HondaOwner]

So many numbers.

I have an Alpine CHM-S650RF that is my tried and trusty CD changer backup for both of my cars. Sure it is not OEM, but when I just drop it in the bucket in the trunk and hook it up, it never complains or skips tracks.

Mine was made in June 1995 and has treated me well over the years.

Good luck Tim.