Audio Systems: 2003 Toyota JBL CD player, jbl system, optical pickup

Question
My CD player had started to appear to skip.  Actually I realized it paused for a second or two for about 5-10 times.  I removed the CD, re-inseterted and it began happening again.  I left it in to see what it would do, and it stopped all together.  Now, any CD I put in, it ejects itself after about 20 seconds.  Toyota has sadi they would just install a new one.  My question is, is it worth fixing? And, if not, do you know of someplace I could purchase one cheaper that the factory and install it myself?

Thanks

Answer
This symptom is nearly always caused by a weak or dead laser diode. This diode is housed inside the optical pickup assembly and the whole assembly must be replaced and realigned by a service tech  (not a car dealer; they don't know how to repair, only replace the unit at about 3 times the price you would pay for an aftermarket of similar quality).

The jbl system is a good one and worth repairing if you can find a shop that will touch it; most won't because it is a toyota proprietary design.  The disc player is probably made by Matsushita or some other Japanese company and is hard to service.  The cost of repair will run over $200.

So, you might want to think in terms of a new head unit installation.  It should not be any big problem matching it with the rest of your system.

Let me know if you have another question.

Cleggsan