Car Stereos: CD volume goes in and out, radio volume does not, nissan maxima, radio volume

Question
My girlfriend has a 2002 Nissan Maxima with the standard factory head unit/speakers/etc. She complains that when she plays CDs the volume will go soft and loud over and over. I have listened to a CD in her car and sometimes you can get appropriate volume for maybe a third of a song and then it will change volume for another third, then maybe get too loud for the remainder. Other times, the volume just moves around randomly. However, when listening to the radio there are NO audio problems.

Thanks for any help you can give me.

   Jay  

Answer
My wife has a 2000 Maxima, and she loves it and it's radio.  Fortunately, we have not experienced any problems with the sound system.  From what you are telling me, I would say your cd player has a problem.  Either the lens is dirty, or the mechanism is malfunctioning.  I would guess the lens is dirty.  Perhaps if you ran a lens cleaner over it a few times, it might start working properly.  Otherwise, the problem may be deeper and require professional attention.  If so, the repair would probably run around $100 to $150.  Hope this helps, Scott