Audio Systems: VW JETTA CD ERROR, video entertainment systems, vw jetta

Question
I'VE HAD MY CAR FOR ALITTLE OVER A YEAR NOW AND ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO MY CD PLAYER IN MY 2003 VW JETTA STOPPED WORKING.  I AM GETTING AN "ERROR 1" MESSAGE ON THE SCREEN.  I TOOK THE CAR TO A VW DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THEY DON'T FIX STEREO'S AND I'D HAVE TO PURCHASE A NEW ONE FOR $585.  I FEEL THIS IS RIDICULOUS AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF YOU CAN HELP ME.

Answer
Yes, the car manufacturers dealer is the very last place to go for help with your entertainment questions; they are car dealers, not electronics dealers!

You should go to an installer/repair shop that works exclusively on car audio/video entertainment systems. They have the know how and the reference manuals and testing equipment to check out your equipment.

It is not uncommon for the cd player to stop working; they are known for being frail and fragile in the car environment.  The biggest problem is the laser diode going weak or out of adjustment to the point of not working.

If you go to:

http://www.crutchfield.com/

and search for your automobile it will give you a long list of possible units to fit your automobile.  Then, you must decide if you want to replace the unit now in the vehicle or repair it.  Often a shop will recommend it be replaced, depending on the cost of repair. For example, if the optical pickup requires replacement, the cost is sometimes greater than the price of a new unit.

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-51oWhPQUgot/cgi-bin/ProdGroup.asp?g=300&avf=Y

lists them for $79.95 and up.

Hope this helps.

Cleggsan