Audio Systems: Car DVD entertainment system, laser diode, ford mercury

Question
I recently purchased a 2007 Mercury Mountaineer. It has a factory installed DVD entertainment system. I attempted several times to play a DVD (used three all originals) and it shows on the drop down screen "loading". I try the play button on the unit as well as the remote ....no success. Unfortunately there is no manual for the operation of this unit. Also, it came with one wireless headset. How does this system operate or where can I locate a operational manual?  Thank You!   V/R  Will

Answer
The manual should have come with the car when you purchased it.  Otherwise, you will need to contact with your local dealer to see if they can provide you with one.

If you google for the manual you will find several places that will provide it for you at a small fee ($5 and up).

I doubt if there is anything magic about its operation.  Putting in a disc and pressing the play button should get it going - if it is working correctly.

The loading indication means that is what it is doing.  If it does not load then there is something wrong with the optical reading system (such as a bad laser diode) which is preventing the disc from being read.  The unit will probably need testing to determine the exact cause(s).

The wireless headphones will not work, of course, until the unit is playing a disc and producing some audio to be sent out.

If you take it to a Ford/Mercury dealer for repair be sure that it is an agency that has an entertainment specialist on staff; very few car dealers do.  Otherwise, take it to a good, local install/repair shop where they can easily in a matter of minutes tell you what is going on with it.  But, repair may be rather expensive if the optical pickup system is shot.  Replacement of the dvd deck could be around $200 or so.

Hope this helps some.