EADGBE writes:

I have looked at the CD repair FAQ (very informative!), and I have
done the following:

1. I have cleaned the lens with isopropyl alcohol.

2. I have discovered that the laser pickup WILL NOT re-center itself
under any condition if I manually move it away from the motor spindle.

This may be the main problem. This is usually done regardless of the
state of the laser pickup. So, either the sensor isn't working or
there is a problem with the motor driver.

3. As far as I can tell by simple observation, the laser pickup DOES
NOT light up under any condition. (I looked at the lens from an
oblique angle about 6 inches away from it in a darkened room.)

So, not even a tiny red dot?

Did you reset the sled to the center? It might not light up if the
sensor thinks it's starting at the wrong place.

Else, there is a problem with turning on the laser. You did say it
recognized the ToC once, right? So the laser itself works.

Could be a bad connection/bad cable.

4. I have verified that the lens drive motor AND the CD spindle motor
do work OK. (I unplugged each motor's wiring harness and applied a
small DC voltage.)

5. I have cleaned the contacts on the little leaf switch that opens
and closes whenever the CD drawer opens and closes and verified that
the switch is opening and closing normally.

6. I have verified that all wiring harness connectors are clean and
well-seated.

Somehow, this player simply will not turn the CD playing circuits on
when the drawer closes. I think the logic IC is fried. Oh well, I
needed a few electronic parts, so now I have a whole box full!

Doubt it. Certainly possible, but the most complex most expensive
part really isn't likely to be bad.

--- sam | Sci.Electronics.Repair FAQ: http://www.repairfaq.org/
Repair | Main Table of Contents: http://www.repairfaq.org/REPAIR/
+Lasers | Sam's Laser FAQ: http://www.repairfaq.org/sam/lasersam.htm
| Mirror Sites: http://www.repairfaq.org/REPAIR/F_mirror.html

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Thanks to everyone for your help....