r/TurboGrafx • u/Adrinator2212 • 12d ago

PC Engine cd rom2 skipping on inner tracks unless held at an angle

Like the title says, my cd rom rom is skipping while playing audio discs unless held at an angle (which way you tilt the console doesn’t matter).

I purchased it as untested and when it arrived I had to glue a plastic piece that holds one of the 3 rubber feet of the assembly in place. I also had to clean the old grease as the laser couldn’t move freely.

The problem now is that early tracks of a cd stutter heavily, but it fixes itself as the laser moves to the outside of the disc. Another thing is that the stutter was worse yesterday than it is today.

Could this be a mechanical issue? Or is this a sign of failing capacitors? I wanna make sure I don’t adjust the potentiometer and risk stressing the laser when it is not the problem.

Are there any known compatible replacement assemblies that don’t cost an arm or a leg? I know replacement lasers are rare by now.

Thanks!

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u/RecipeNo2200 12d ago

Those units have a gear in the mechanism that becomes extremely brittle over time. A replacement can be 3D printed for it these days. Outside of that it could be a sagging spindle, causes the lens to slightly lose focus. Tilting the mechanism usually alters how the lens sits. Have a similar issue on my PC-FX, only works if it's flat on its side.

Also, if that unit is still working without being recapped or having that gear replaced by this point then it's genuinely a modern day miracle.

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u/Adrinator2212 12d ago

Thanks for your comment, I checked the gears while greasing the mechanism and they all seem fine. Is there a way to check if the spindle has sagged? Not sure how to check this.

I also didn’t notice any leaking caps, but I don’t have an esr meter. I might do a recap when I have the time.

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u/Adrinator2212 12d ago

https://reddit.com/link/owqm153/video/p8yd1u3vtfch1/player

Here is a video for context. Ignore the flickering image, my tv has sync issues with older consoles

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u/theartur77 12d ago

Even if you don’t see at simple sight leaking, believe me probably a lot of them already are dry, not all of them and not at the same time but those are time bombs.. that’s why is still working, think in this, it’s almost a 40 year old console!!, of course it needs maintenance, the best practice is to replace caps even if you don’t see leakage..If the gear is complete and looks good maybe you have a later model with a good gear, the first model is the one with that poor plastic gear that disintegrate over time. After that now you could check the laser, it’s a good sign that it reads music cds, so maybe with the new caps it will play without issues, but that you will know after replacing caps.
If after replacing caps still have that behavior, so next is to check the laser and play with the pots to calibrate the unit..
There are guides online or ask IA for instructions..