What does this error code really mean??

[damageinc.]

Hi
Ive got a clarion hu, and in recent times after like 20 mins of cd play, the music will keep stopping for a couple seconds every couple of minutes. This happens a few times untill an "error 3" message comes on the screen. The play will then stop completely. If turned off and then on again after a couple mins after this message, it will play fine again, untill the same thing happens.

Ive looked up what the error 3 message is and this is what the clarion site says:

Error 3.CD error message. The pick-up is out of focus during play mode due to scratches on the disc or contamination.

It happens with all my cds, even with ones i have just bought, so it cannot be them.
Would it be due to dust inside the unit?? Does this spell the end for my stereo?? It is only about 3 years old and i dont really want to fork out for a new one.

[caaf]

Have you tried a lens cleaning CD?? If you don't want to purchase one and live close you me I"d be more than happy for your radio to have a treat.

[damageinc.]

Ive heard of those things, but im a bit skeptical whether they are of any benifit. Has anyone used one to overcome such a problem??

[AUSFITTER]

Sometimes in your user manual for the head unit, it has trouble shooting/faqs in it. If you still have it, maybe you have a quick squizz and see if there is anything in it

[[p]wrr-247]

check al ur wiring
i have a jve uninit an n of the wires was touchin the metal bit in the bak parcel tray and cut the music off for a few minutes
check all earthing to

[UFO]

Ive heard of those things, but im a bit skeptical whether they are of any benifit. Has anyone used one to overcome such a problem??

no mate... they arent just a gimic, they work.

the laser inside the cd player has a lens. over time (especially in a car where its dusty and lots of bumping around) a lot of crap can get on the lens. unlike a record where the groove goes around and around the disc, the laser constantly moves up and down radius of the disc picking up data as it goes. that's why it makes some sense that the unit works fine for a while but once it starts to read off a certain part of the disc it starts to get errors.

you dont need to buy a cleaning kit if cleaning a stand alone cd player on a pc or even on a home hifi, as it's not hard to open the cd player and gently wipe the lens with cleaning alcohol lens tissue paper (I got a slr camera, and a lens cleaning kit for it is like $10 from any camera store). but obviously in a car its a lot harder to do, so a cd cleaning kit is the go.

the cleaning disc has little bristles on it that you put the cleaning liquid on to. this wipe the lens and tray clean. for $20-30 its a good investment for any cd players you got around the house anyway. and then, if the problem still exists its time for a new head unit... wont be worth it to have a techy repair it for you.