Audio Systems: err 3 code, toyota avalon, optical pickup

Question
My Toyota Avalon (99) displays an err 3 code when I insert a cd.  It ejects it.  I tried a cd cleaner and it did not work.  Have a friend with the same problem on a 98 avalon.

Do I just buy a new unit?

Answer
This is because the cd cannot be "read" by the digital converter.  And it is almost always due to the laser diode becoming weak or dead.

You cannot fix it by yourself and the cost of repair is very expensive.  You may even want to replace the unit with an aftermarket cd player.

I wish I had better news, but the diodes cannot last forever.  You should at least call an Avalon electronics repair facility and ask them what the baseline charge is for an optical pickup replacemenet (the laser diode is inside the pickup).

Hope this helps.

Cleggsan