Audio Systems: CDS are constantly skipping, pioneer cd player, wet cleaner

Question
I have a pioneer cd player, about 4 years old. It has worked perfect until a few months ago. It has started skipping the cd's every once and awhile, like the cd had a smudge or a scratch, but the cd's were perfect. Over the past couple of months it has gotten progressively worse. I can put a cd in and immediatly it will start skipping. I don't have to be driving, and it can be regular cd or burned cd, doesn't matter. I've used a laser cleaner several times with no results. I thought that maybe it was a heat issue. If you got any suggestions I'ld appreciate it.

Answer
larry,
The problem may be due to a very diry/dusty lens in the laser pickup assembly. If you or anyone that rides in your vehicle smokes, the smoke can settle on the lens also. You may want to try using one of those wet type CD lens cleaners that comes with a small bottle of cleaning fluid. If after cleaning the laser with a wet cleaner and the CD player still skips it may signal that the laser in the CD assembly may need to be replaced.

TOM,
T&D ELECTRONICS
tdeser@zoominternet.net