Car radios can sometimes cause problems if a CD is stuck. Because the CD player is recessed into the dashboard, you can hardly reach it, unless you take the trouble to remove the car radio completely and open it. A blocked CD can therefore be very annoying. Fortunately, there are some possible solutions to this common problem. But watch outIf the steps below are not performed correctly, you can irreparably damage the car radio or the blocked CD. When in doubt, always consult an expert.
Steps
Method 1 of 5: Using the power button and eject button
Step 1. Turn off the car
Some CD players have a function to force eject a locked CD if other methods don't work. This method doesn't require you to do anything weird with your car stereo, so this method is a good starting point - if it doesn't work, there's no man overboard. First turn off your car.
Step 2. Simultaneously press the power button and the eject button
Press and hold the buttons at the same time for about 10 seconds. If your car radio does indeed have a built-in function to force eject a CD, the CD will now come out.
Step 3. If this doesn't work, start the car and try again
Some car radios do nothing at all when the car is off. In that case, press both buttons 10 seconds after starting the car.
Step 4. Refer to the owner's manual for the car radio
With most car radios you can force eject the CD with the key combination on-off and eject, but it may work differently with your car radio. Look in the owner's manual and look for a chapter on blocked CDs.
Method 2 of 5: Using an extra CD
Step 1. Take a blank CD or a CD that you don't need to keep
This method puts a second CD into the car radio, so never use one of your favorite CDs for this.
- Turn on the car radio first. If you need to start the car for this, start the car and turn on the car radio.
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Pay attention:
With this method (and other methods in this article) you run the risk of damaging the CD or the car radio. Always be careful when inserting any object into your car radio. If you are concerned that you may damage the car radio, see a professional.
Step 2. Insert the second CD about one inch into the slot of the CD player
The CD must be inserted above the first CD. With a bit of luck you can feel the blocked CD slide under the CD you have in your hand.
Step 3. Press the eject button and gently move the CD back and forth
By doing this you are trying to make the stuck CD contact the mechanism that causes CDs to be ejected. If you feel the blocked CD come out, be careful not to get the CD caught between the second CD and the edge of the CD slot.
If this doesn't work, repeat it again, but this time insert the second CD under the blocked CD and gently move the CD upwards. With some car radios, you have to apply upward pressure for a CD to make contact with the mechanism
Step 4. Apply pressure on the device
Sometimes it can help to put pressure on the device to get the mechanism going again. If the car radio is mounted near the top of the dashboard, you can try performing the steps above while pressing or even hitting the top of the dashboard.
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Pay attention:
some people got the CD out by hitting the dashboard, but it can damage delicate components inside the dashboard. Hitting the dashboard is not recommended if, for example, you have a GPS between the car radio and the top of the dashboard.
Method 3 of 5: Perform a reset
Step #1. Make a note of all the presets and settings
This method is useful when you cannot remove a CD because the car radio no longer turns on. In this method we will disconnect the power supply from the car radio and then reconnect it. Usually this means that all preferences and settings will be erased, everything will be reset to factory settings. So make a note of your settings if you are attached to it so that you can easily restore it afterwards.
Step 2. Turn off the car and open the hood
If you are going to work on your car's electrical system, it is important to make sure you are not at risk of electric shock. Turn off the car, remove the key and open the hood to access the battery.
Step 3. Remove the battery clamp from the negative terminal of the battery
The negative terminal of a battery is black, the positive terminal is red. Carefully disconnect the battery clamp on the negative terminal. With some batteries you need a wrench or pliers to loosen the clamp.
Step 4. Wait 10 seconds and then reattach the battery clip
When the clamp is reattached you can start the car and try to eject the blocked CD with the eject button. You can often get a CD out of your car radio by resetting the car radio.
Step 5. If the car radio still does not turn on, replace the fuse
Look in the manual of the car, look for the place where all the fuses are. You can often find this behind a panel in the dashboard. First, disconnect the negative battery terminal, remove the fuse box panel and replace the car radio's fuse following the instructions in the owner's manual.
Method 4 of 5: Using a knife or stick with tape
Step 1. Avoid electric shocks
In this method, we are going to insert a long, flat knife or something similar into the slot of the CD player. Metal blades are very conductive, so use an object made of wood or plastic (such as a popsicle stick). If you are going to use something made of metal, make sure that the car radio is no longer connected to the electrical circuit of the car and do not start until you are sure that all electrical charge has disappeared. Turn off the car and the car radio and disconnect the battery terminal from the negative terminal of the battery.
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Pay attention:
With this method (and other methods in this article) you run the risk of damaging the CD or the car radio. Always be careful when inserting any object into your car radio. If you are concerned that you may damage the car radio, see a professional.
Step 2. Wrap tape (tape side out) around the end of a putty knife (or similar)
Use duct tape or another strong tape. A putty knife is tapered, so the tape won't slide off. If you're using a straight object, it's better to start wrapping with the sticky side in, then turn the tape over and wrap a few more times with the sticky side out.
Step 3. Stick a thin piece of paper on one side of your object
It can be difficult to insert a sticky object into the CD player, but a piece of paper on one side makes the process easier. Cut a piece of paper to size and stick it on the tape.
Step 4. Insert the blade into the CD player with the adhesive side down
Gently move the blade back and forth so that you can feel the top of the jammed CD. Press down slightly so that the tape sticks to the top of the CD. When you feel that the blade is stuck to the CD, move the blade up and remove the CD.
Method 5 of 5: Using a plastic card and screwdriver
Step 1. Avoid electric shocks
As with the above method, we need to make sure that the car radio is no longer connected to the electrical circuit of the car. Only get started when you are sure that all electrical charge has disappeared. Turn off the car and the car radio and disconnect the battery terminal from the negative terminal of the battery.
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Pay attention:
With this method (and other methods in this article) you run the risk of damaging the CD or the car radio. Always be careful when inserting any object into your car radio. If you are concerned that you may damage the car radio, see a professional.
Step 2. Take a sturdy plastic card, such as a driver's license, debit card or credit card
The pass should be thin and firm. For example, use an expired credit card or another card that you no longer use, because you can damage the card. Apply double-sided tape to one side of the yoke, near the edge of one of the narrow sides.
If you don't have double-sided tape, you can also use normal tape. Wrap the tape around the yoke with the adhesive side inwards a few times, then turn the tape over and wrap a few more times around the yoke with the adhesive side out
Step 3. Take a flat thin screwdriver
This method is similar to the method above, but now we are going to use a screwdriver to attach the pass to the blocked CD. For this we need a fairly short, thin, flat screwdriver. Use a screwdriver that is as thin as possible, because we will partially insert the screwdriver into the slot of the CD player.
Step 4. Insert the pass into the slot above the CD with the adhesive side down
You can guide the pass with the screwdriver, make sure that the pass is pushed in by 1 to 2 cm before the pass sticks to the CD.
Step 5. When the pass is in place, insert the screwdriver above the pass
Gently press down with the screwdriver. This will ensure that the tape sticks securely to the top of the blocked CD.
Step 6. Remove the screwdriver and slowly pull the pass out of the CD player
With a bit of luck the CD will come out with it. Repeat the previous steps if it doesn't work right away.