Audio Systems: Bose Auto Stereo system - 99 Acura TL, acura tl, optical pickup

Question
My CD player works intermittently.  It usually plays cds purchased from store and sometimes CDs I burnt on my computer.  Sometimes if you wait long enough the CD's will begin playing.  I have tried a cleaning disk also.  Any suggestions?

Answer
Not all cd-r burners and not all cd-r discs are totally compatible with all players.  Some players will not play any burned discs.

Recordable CDs are really a pressed cd with all the tracks, but empty of program content; then when you burn them it fills in the tracks with audio.

So, depending on the playability of the disk and reading capability of the cd player you may not always get good results.

You can try cleaning the optical pickup lens in the player and if you are willing to spend a few dollars have it carefully aligned at a good shop; it may improve the play quality.

Also, if the cd player is the original that came with the car it is getting along in years and the laser diode strength may be waning.  Replacing the diode is very expensive; probably as much or more than a new headend unit.

Ultimately, you will probably need a new headend unit that is fresh and has uptodate reading systems built in.  Or, you might think of the newer models that are iPod and mp3 capable; with them you would have more music available than even a 100 disc changer in the trunk!

Cleggsan