Laser carriage problems on the FZ-10

[Mallos31]

I recently purchased an FZ-10 that was labelled as defective. After working on it for a long time I was able to get it to recognize audio cds, but since I don't currently have a controller I couldn't test if it could actually play them. After multiple tests, I have run into a new problem. The carriage has stopped moving entirely. If I manually move it to the outside of the disc, it will move to the spindle, but then it just clicks helplessly. I was able to get it to move a little bit by tweaking the plastic tension screws near the drive motor, but I can't really get anywhere with it. If there are any recommendations for fixes, or even better at this point, a replacement, I'd appreciate the help.

[Jeremy Popp]

If I manually move it to the outside of the disc, it will move to the spindle, but then it just clicks helplessly.

 

This sounds like it's not fully hitting the bump-stop switch. On most laser assemblies, when the laser comes towards the spindle, it will hit a small button/switch that will tell it when to stop moving. If you're just keeps clicking, I would assume it's not hitting that switch. It could be dirty, broken or out of alignment but you should be able to see it and even press it with your finger a few times to see if it performs better.

 

As for a replacement laser or assembly, I believe they are difficult to track down.

[Mallos31]

I'm gonna grab a multimeter and check that switch for continuity. I hope it's that easy. Afterwards I have to mess with the three laser focusing screws to see if I can get that going. Anyone have any tips?

[Mallos31]

Update: apparently that switch is broken. Any way to replace it? I've been trying to fix it, but it's just too tiny to do anything with. The tiny button just falls inside. I undid the two tiny clips on the sides to see if there was a spring or something that was broken, and though there is a spring, I can't see what's causing the button not to come back up. (again, too small to really tell) One of the pads that the two wires are connected to is broken off, so that may hold the spring up just enough to push back. It seems to be a simple continuity switch, so I could even make one if need be since there are no real components to it., I just don't know how I would go about doing so.

Edited April 29, 2018 by Mallos31