Alright, I'm trying to tackle the funky head unit that came in the R53 I just bought. The previous owner was up front about it not working, so I'm trying to figure it out.

Insert disc
"Reading Disc"
"CD ERROR"
Ejects CD

Any thoughts? Could this just be a dirty lens? There is coincidentally someone selling one of these HU's on CL right now for $20. Would it be worth just replacing?

 

Could be a dirty lens, but probably easiest just to replace it. If you want the Aux-in option, make sure the HU was built no earlier than 2003.

 

And make sure it's a later '05 head unit, I think starting March, if you want to play MP3 CD's. There should be a date code sticker on the radio to check.

 

Just wanted to update everyone on this. I pulled the H/U, removed the 3 small screws holding the top plate on, and sure enough - there was a parking garage card from 2008 just chillin' in the CD slot. Pulled it out with some tweezers, put everything back together & watched in awe as the unit played it's first CD in 7 years without issue haha.

 

Weee! Man I love it when a plan comes together!

Motor on!

 

What a great ending/fix to the problem! And we all know how easily that can happen, sticking a parking ticket in any slot that will hold it.