Audio Systems: When I got my 97 Porsche..., porsche boxster, single cd player

Question
When I got my '97 Porsche Boxster the 6 CD changer was inoperable. One of the PO's had not been able to get the eject button to pop out the CD holder, so he took a screwdriver and tried to leverage out the cartridge. he successfully bent the internal frame, etc. The guy I bought the car from said the single cd player in the radio was all he needed so he didn't bother with the unit in the front trunk, other than to see that it didn't work and looked damaged. I have since removed the Becker player, it was toast after the guy mauled it with the screwdriver (a true mess), and have bought a similar unit (Ebay) from a 2002 Boxster (Says Porsche but is the same, down to the screw mounting holes, match up plugs, etc.) Reinstalled and plugged it in and of course, the eject button doesn't eject the cartridge from this one either. Am guessing it was not a mechanical changer problem in the first place so much as a signal or power issue in the wiring. I plan to take it to a local car audio shop, but first thought I'd ask an expert if they had any similar experience or knowledge of such a thing in the past. If so, what was it and is there anything I can check before going to a shop? Clearly, another screwdriver effort is not going to occur to eject the cartridge from this one!! Man, some people!! Thanks much!  Steve  

Answer
Steve,
The CD changer most likely has a control voltage problem from the head unit. I also find on these units that will not eject the magazine when the eject button on the changer is pressed, is because the 12 volt supply to the changer is not working. On many of these units you should be able to eject the magazine without the head unit turned on. The changer is supplied with 12 volts from the fuse box. When you press the eject button the magazine will/should eject. before you take your car to any repair shop you should first check to see if the changer is supplied with 12 volts. I know what you mean about some people, I have worked on $1500 CD stereos in some luxury vehicles at which the CD wouldn't eject due to a small spring coming off and this would not put the pressure on the eject rollers to push/pull out the CD. So what do they do, they take a pair of needle nose pliers and simply destroy the CD player assembly and turn a $35 fix into a $300 repair/replacement of the complete CD unit. Go figure? Any way let me know what you find out about the 12 volt supply to the CD changer.

TOM,
T&D ELECTRONICS
tdeser@zoominternet.net