TG16CD and PCE CD. CD doesnt spin or load

[SnethSS]

Hey Everyone. I'm not quite sure which area to troubleshoot next.  I'm thinking dead laser, but this is what I've done so far.
Both my Suitcase PCE CD system and my TG16 are exhibiting the same problem.  I just took them out of my closet after sitting there a few years.

I can boot them up fine with Hucards.  When I try to play a CD, the drive makes Zero noise and just doesnt spin.
-The gears are fine on both systems. 
-I can manually power the laser motor and the cd motor.
-If I move the laser position, it doesnt try to move itself.
-Press run, LED displays PC like it's trying to load a game.
-I haven't done a Pot swap because they all test fine, but ya never know.

Sound like a laser or is this another issue.

[thesteve]

no
the start sequence is
1 center laser
2 power laser (wait for mirror)
3 spin disk (wait for TOC)
4 cd mode start track 1, data mode start track 2

if the laser is not centering its failing at step 1

[SnethSS]

no
the start sequence is
1 center laser
2 power laser (wait for mirror)
3 spin disk (wait for TOC)
4 cd mode start track 1, data mode start track 2

if the laser is not centering its failing at step 1

hrm. so it should be centering laser then trying to focus.  Good to know.  Some other notes had mentioned it needed to focus before spinning, but this order makes more sense.

[TheMilford]

Bumping this topic because my TG16 rom is doing the same exact thing. not sure how to troubleshoot this. i only can find my super system CD card. I thought I had the regular CD system card somewhere but cannot seem to find it. Not sure if that would make any difference.

Hucards boot fine.
Super CD card in on power up asks for Run…
"PC" lights up on "Run" but not sound or movement from CD drive.

What should I check first?

Maybe test CD player out of system with audio CD?

Been away a while making music and building things… but I wanted to show my daughter some games and was treated to this today. really bummed :-(
Cheers,
David

[Keith Courage]

Typically this is the sign of a bad/stuck gear. Overtime the inner hole of the gear swells making it impossible for the motor to turn. Replace the middle gear.

[TheMilford]

Well the middle gear was yellowed and stuck. visibly undamaged otherwise… however when trying to remove the washer/clip It flew off, I though somewhere into the recesses of the lens assembly, but I cannot find it. I hope this little washer or something can be used. Perhaps McMaster Carr has something… perhaps I can tear open a RC car servo… I dunno.

Hopefully one of you guys knows can help a dude out.

[wilykat]

Oh crap, that is very bad.  You need to know the exact diameter of the clip's groove to get a correct sized replacement.  Removing that clip is a bitch and replacing it without losing it or losing your mind is the #1 reason I won't be offering repair service.

If the gear is not cracked, and you have assortment of tiny drills (like Dremel), get one that is one size bigger than original hole and drill it out.  That's what I did to mine and it has been working since until I got Duo-R.

There's also the mod that removes the middle gear completely and uses 2 larger gear plus wiring on motor changed so it seems "faster" but someone noticed it didn't work on a few touchy game.  Stock 3 gears setup is better if you can find replacement clip and the middle gear is fine.

[choijimmy]

The washer can be replaced with barley paper by cutting into a little ring shape, I can give you some for free if you need. I also have middle gear for sale if you are unable to find it on the market.
Feel free to just get barley paper withOut buying the middle gear from me 

[TheMilford]

I've looked at pictures of the washer… and it looks like a flat washer that is clipped. Like a split ring clip but flat instead of spiraled. I suppose I could find a suitable washer of the right size using calipers to measure the notch in the shaft and splitting a the tiny washer with some small hardened snips (diagonal cutters). Or maybe a fiber washer that will press-fet. Time to hit Mcmaster Carr.

[wilykat]

Flat washer with notch or cut mark is usually a locking washer that snaps into groove and holds the gear in place.  Smaller than a nut, also a pain to remove and reinstall.