Audio Systems: cd changer, 2005 dodge caravan, dodge caravan

Question
I have a stock in dash cd changer in my 2005 Dodge Caravan.
The radio works but cannot remove cd's. When I turn on the radio the cd tries to eject and keeps trying. What could be wrong? Is this something I can fix myself?

Answer
The cd changer is both very mechanical and electronic. There is an electronic servo system that operates the motor and the disc trays and other mechanisms that bring the disc in, put it in place for the platter motor to spin it and bring out the optical pickup to read the digital information and so on.  It is a very complicated system.

So, the cause of the discs being lodged could be something as simple as a foreign object that has accidentally gotten into the works, a broken gear, dislodged belt, jammed mechanism, defective servo IC, jammed optical pickup and so on.

Sometimes a power reset will clear it and get it working again.  Some Chrysler products have a little pin hole on the front panel where a straightened out paper clip can be inserted into the hole for a reset.  Sometimes a total removal of all power to the unit for 15 minutes will reset it.

But, most often the unit must be pulled out of the vehicle, taken apart and diagnosed for the problem.

Some, who don't want to go the expense, just ignore the cd changer and go with an MP3 or iPod connection - which, by the way, can hold much more music playing time than a changer AND allows you to take it with you when you leave the car.

You can see such adapters for your minivan at:

http://www.installer.com/ipod/

and other such places.  BestBuy may have them, crutchfield.com would have one as well as scoshe.com.

Hope this will help you.

Cleggsan