Jammed CD player: any ideas?

My old Alpine '3 stacker' head-unit, which has always been finicky, this morning decided to jam with the CD cartridge stuck out. No amount of button pushing has any effect. It just makes a whirring noise, sometimes followed by a grinding noise when I hit 'eject'.

I wouldn't mind so much, as I was intending to replace it soon anyway, only it's swallowed my favourite Dinosaur Jr. album.

The device in question -

I assume you've already tried "helping" it when it's trying to eject? Is the drawer/cartridge square with the unit?

If nothing works and it's an old unit, just get out a hammer and chisel and get your CD back.

Which Dinosaur Jr album is it?

Usually there is a pin hole to manually eject a CD or tray. A paper clip will do.

Thanks, I'll look out for that. Apparently holding the eject button in (for 12 seconds) might also trigger some kind of reset.

In reply to 1988RedT2:

Mr. Hammer will be a last resort when I have a new unit lined up. For the moment, the radio still works. Also, cartridge is not crooked.

In reply to pilotbraden:

Beyond

Just as a be-aware note, some players are sensitive to store-bought CDs, and ones you've burned. There store bought ones can be a tiny bit thicker, and the player can choke on it those---just as you've described. Doesn't happen all the time, doesn't happen to all players, but shows up enough that you should be aware of it.

Also, if you can, see if the discs is sitting perfectly flat on the platten. If it's angled a bit--doesn't have to be physically preventing the ejection, just not sitting flat, the platten will not fully eject. And, there should be a hole for afotementioned override to eject.

Might want to google the model you have and see what pops up.

If it comes time to disassemble, I wouldn't go at it with a hammer, I'd go at it with a screwdriver. You wouldn't want to risk damaging your CD.

Remove unit from dash, remove many tiny flat-phillips screws. Once covers are off the little folded sheet metal pawl that engages the side of the disc carrier will be visible. Lever it gently aside, eject. If the harness in the dash will reach, power it up out of the dash - covers still off - to test.

If it's broken? Time for a new-to-you car w/ a functional stereo.

On a different note, the dash of that SAAB looks very nice. I don't think I have seen one that is in that good of shape in a while.

I've had to go as far as removing the whole headunit and opening it up to remove CDs and reset the CD tray.

Thanks y'all. There's no override button that I can see. Looks like dis-assembly (with a screwdriver ) is the go.

It would never play burned CDs, and I want something with a USB port anyhow, though it's still a pity. I really liked the 'old-school' look of this thing, whereas modern CD players tend to be very flashy/ugly/gaudy.

From what I hear, Ford is phasing out the CD player anyway. All the stereo companies will follow. See, you don't need that pesky CD part anyway.

http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/p_25090_Boss_Audio_830UA.aspx need this not too flashy looking. cheap and works fantastic ( i have used boss audio decks for 6 years now and not once have i not been amazed that i got a deck this good for this cheap.

http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/p_28451_Boss_Audio_754DI.aspx and if you have an ipod this is perfect.

and if you want an old school look..... i dont think you can beat this http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/p_28587_Boss_Audio_644UA.aspx

good album.

if you cant get the CD out safely...... http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B000OCZ9R8/ref=dp_olp_used?ie=UTF8&condition=used

Hey thanks for the links KATYB. I'm gonna order the Boss 644UA, which is pretty much exactly what I was after. Cheap, looks like it was made in the '90s, USB input, & a volume knob, (instead of two buttons).

@ failboat: cheers! though I'm still hopeful I can extract my copy, which is more or less perfect.

Luke just make sure the speakers can handle it..... decks like what you had are normally like 30x4 where as that one is 60x4. altho that is one of the weaker bosses most of them are 80x4

If I get fed up with the one in the Nissan, that's a great replacement. Looks period correct.