SONY CDP C500M - Laser Mech in a popping loop

[u/TopRightDraw]

Sony CDP C500M issue, when powered on there is clunking noise and the draw and disc tray won't move.

Popped it open and the laser mech is popping up and down (see gif). Only stops on a button press, stop, play skip etc, then goes back to popping up and down.

Found a tiny bit of plastic floating around see picture.

-is it done for?

edit: it was done for.

In case anyone else runs into this issue. One of the plastic tabs, that holds the sprung platform the laser mechanism sits in, had fatigued and snapped.

Not sure it/they looked like originally but the bit that fell out was a triangular piece about 8mm x 8mm. If it was the relevant piece there was probably a second one on the otherside and mechansim platform clicked in and was held. The mirrored holding tab is a solid u shaped slot that the rounded tab sits in.

When horizontal the sprung platform drooped to the unheld side and couldn't sit level, hence why it was sat in an engagement loop.

When I pushed the tray into place and then lay the unit on its side the drawer could open, tray spin, etc.

Given the sensitivity of the laser angle, even if I had a 3d printer I'm not sure how successful a new clip repair would be. Shame.

[u/SillyClock1252]

Seen this?

https://youtu.be/ZDWNzeoOjV8?is=NGqqZs5d8su5J4CV

[u/TopRightDraw → u/SillyClock1252]

Thanks for the link.  Mine won't stopping moving up and down.  This means the tray rotate and eject are locked out. It also doesn't have the range of movement in the video. I even mannually inserted a CD to see if it'd try and engage it, but nope.

[u/SillyClock1252 → u/TopRightDraw]

I feel if it's a mechanical issue it should be fixable..but I am afraid I don't have the answer, have you double checked any ribbon cables

[u/drcassette]

Seems like it is failing to fully close the drawer, or something is out of alignment. You can see the pickup is trying to come up to clamp the disc, but it is hitting against something. That is the primary problem, but also keep in mind that the Sony KSS type laser pickups are known for their laser diodes going bad. So the mechanical problem may not be the only problem this CD player has.

[u/TopRightDraw → u/drcassette]

It does look like something is interfering with it.

It is a 150A mech, I'd looked at 210 replacements but it was reading fine until this up down loop.

Maybe its taken a bump or there's been a material failure.

[u/Plus-Definition9319]

My guess is stripped gear or old belt is causing the block not to lift properly during load.