I have a 1997 Explorer Eddie Bauer with the JBL sound system which includes a console mounted 6 disc CD changer.
I am getting a "BAD CD" notice on the radio display and the CD will not play.
Radio and tape player still work fine.
I found a used CD changer,(same make and model), and tried it with exactly the same results.
I am wondering now if it is possibly something other than the CD changer at fault.
Anyone got any ideas?

 

Have you tried other CDs? Is this a store-bought CD or a burned CD? If burned, try a store-bought disc and see if it works.

-Rod

 

Good suggestion. I did try both burned and bought and had same results.

 

All in-dash multi-CD players are subject to failure. Too small in side, parts are small, won't take the abuse. Check the Escape forum. My SIL's 2005 ate it. Our Lexus unit croaked. They are all doomed.

You can get a gizmo that goes into the cassette player to hook up your Ipod or another CD player. Works like a champ.

Sony CPA 9C - Car cassette adapter#

 

One other thought that entered my mind, with the used unit did you give it a day or so to acclimate to the temperature in the truck? I'm not sure where you live or how cold it is there, but if you took it from inside a nice toasty warm house, installed it in to a really cold Explorer, then tried it out, there may have been condensation that formed on the CD laser lens. That condensation could have caused an error message.

Also, make sure you installed the CD with the label side up. Okay, that was two more thoughts. Other than display issues, these Ford OEM units seem to be pretty reliable.

-Rod

 

I may be lucky that I got 14 years out of it. Just seems odd that both units are doing exactly the same thing. Makes me think problem is at the other end of the connection in the radio.
Does seem like the lens is the most likely culprit.
Think I will take one of them apart just to see what I can see.

 

I checked out the Sony device and looks really good. Especially the price.
Also found this but is considerably more expensive.
Does the Sony cassette device provide good sound quality?



TranzIt USB IS32 - Universal Car Integration Kit for Smartphones, MP3 Players

 

The dynamic range of a cassette player is not as wide as that of the CD or even an MP3. It will be better than radio though.

-Rod

 

We have one in the Exploder for my daughter's Ipod, and one in the Lexus for a CD player or Ipod. Have not heard the Lexus one, but the one in the Exploder sounds as good as the radio imo.

The other gizmo you linked to is for hooking up an Ipod and being able to control it or at least charge it from the car radio. The $8 job is "audio in" only. With most older stuff, especially the Lexus, integrating anything becomes a major PITA. At least with an Exploder or just about any Ford, you can replace the whole works with an aftermarket radio/cd player. Not so the Lexus--you either buy a really high dollar oem replacement or buy a boom box when that unit takes a dump.

 

I would go with an aftermarket MP3 player that can hook up to an ipod. They are pretty inexpensive nowadays.

 

Folks,
I have the same issue in my 1998 Explorer. Fact is, I hardly ever use it. I thought perhaps that has a bearing on the case? Can the heads be cleaned (or some such thing) before I go to replacement?

 

Not sure if this will help you, but...When I bought my 99 i was convinced that the 6 disc was non-functional I ended up taking it out and dumping 2.35 in change out of the mech. After that it seemed to work fine except it kept saying bad disc. Turned out that I had the discs in upside down. I know this is a bonehead post but maybe it will help.

 

That's not the problem, but thanks for responding