What's wrong with my TurboDuo?

[CrackTiger]

After reading about some miraculous Duo fixes that turned out to be something minor, I figured I might as well see if the experts can (hopefully) easily solve my problem.

The CD drive in my U.S. TurboDuo system doesn't spin. After pressing Run, it makes a "grr-tick" sound.

At no time does the disc spinner move. The laser is at the far left of its sliding area, or next to the CD spinner.

After hitting Run, the laser moves/bumps towards the left, traveling at the most 1 milimetre. It then pushes the lens upward where it stays for a second or two before sinking back down for a second or two and repeats until I 'open the CD door'.

I can see a tiny red light in the lens during this.

The TurboDuo just sits at the "Just a moment..." screen the whole time.

I'm hoping that its only the lens. I've replaced the lens in my Duo RX on my own.

I'd really appreciate any suggestions.

[awack]

The only thing i can think of to help you is to move the laser to the right by hand, make sure the duo is on, then just easily move the laser away from the CD spinner.

[Nazi NecroPhile]

It sounds like a dead lens, but it couldn't hurt to give 'er a good cleaning, lube job, and try to manually move the lens transport (the gears could be on a 'flat' spot).  As a last resort, fiddle with the pots and see if it helps any.

[CrackTiger]

The only thing i can think of to help you is to move the laser to the right by hand, make sure the duo is on, then just easily move the laser away from the CD spinner.

I tried to move the laser, but it won't budge. Is this a sign that it may be jammed or something?

It sounds like a dead lens, but it couldn't hurt to give 'er a good cleaning, lube job, and try to manually move the lens transport (the gears could be on a 'flat' spot).  As a last resort, fiddle with the pots and see if it helps any.

What are "pots"?

[nat]

The only thing i can think of to help you is to move the laser to the right by hand, make sure the duo is on, then just easily move the laser away from the CD spinner.

I tried to move the laser, but it won't budge. Is this a sign that it may be jammed or something?

Yes, definitely.

It sounds like a dead lens, but it couldn't hurt to give 'er a good cleaning, lube job, and try to manually move the lens transport (the gears could be on a 'flat' spot).  As a last resort, fiddle with the pots and see if it helps any.

What are "pots"?

Potentiometers. They are screw-like devices that control the intensity of the laser.

[awack]

Did you make sure to turn your duo was on before trying to move it because if the switch is in the off position the laser wont move even when forcing it by hand .

[CrackTiger]

Did you make sure to turn your duo was on before trying to move it because if the switch is in the off position the laser wont move even when forcing it by hand .

Yes, I tried moving it with the power turned on and again while it was 'searching'.

It sounds like a dead lens, but it couldn't hurt to give 'er a good cleaning, lube job, and try to manually move the lens transport (the gears could be on a 'flat' spot).  As a last resort, fiddle with the pots and see if it helps any.

What exactly should I lube and what do I use as lubricant? I remember the poles that the laser unit sits on were very greasy when I swapped the laser in my Duo RX.

[nat]

Did you make sure to turn your duo was on before trying to move it because if the switch is in the off position the laser wont move even when forcing it by hand .

Not true. I've moved my Duo's laser many times by hand with the power off.

As a matter of fact, I've never ever moved it with the power on.

[awack]

Not true. I've moved my Duo's laser many times by hand with the power off.

As a matter of fact, I've never ever moved it with the power on.

I know, but the situation blacktiger is describing sounds exactly like what happend to me in 2001 with my turbo duo, the laser was all the way to the left next to the spinner and it would make a grr click noise, the laser would not move until i turned the power on.

I hope some one on the board can help you fix your duo.

[CrackTiger]

I finally opened it up and have narrowed down the part(s) that's not moving-






I took the laser of the tracks to get it over to the right, but that white wheel won't budge. Actually, its that threaded cylinder type thing it intersects with. I was able to move the white wheel a bit by pulling it away from that cylinder.


EDIT: Okay, I just tested everything with the power on and I still couldn't move it, but after hitting Run with the laser at the right side, it moved all the way to the left and is back to only "grr-click"ing.

[PCEngineHell]

Ahh,when good motors go bad.

[Nazi NecroPhile]

Sounds like either the motor is misbehaving or it's getting the wrong instructions.  Disregard my suggestion to adjust the pots.  I doubt that it would help - if the laser couldn't read the disc, you'd get the "Please set disc" command rather than the "Just a moment..." message.  While it's highly unlikely that anything would've worked loose inside your Duo (unless you like to give it a periodic bitch slap), I'd check all the connections and pray for a loose wire.

[CrackTiger]

Sounds like either the motor is misbehaving or it's getting the wrong instructions.  Disregard my suggestion to adjust the pots.  I doubt that it would help - if the laser couldn't read the disc, you'd get the "Please set disc" command rather than the "Just a moment..." message.  While it's highly unlikely that anything would've worked loose inside your Duo (unless you like to give it a periodic bitch slap), I'd check all the connections and pray for a loose wire.

Thats a possibility. This is the Duo I had sent to me loose in an envelope.

[Keranu]

I had a similar problem with my PCE CD recently. Just gave the white wheels a little nudge and it works fine (I got the tip from another thread on this forum by Tatsujin).

[Turbo D]

I have the same problem with one of my duos. I replaced the laser and it didn't fix it. I took the motor out and hooked it up to a battery and it spun. I'm thinking one of these days I might go around replacing caps or something, Idk. Just know that you're not the only one suffering 

[CrackTiger]

I hope some one on the board can help you fix your duo.

I have the same problem with one of my duos. I replaced the laser and it didn't fix it. I took the motor out and hooked it up to a battery and it spun. I'm thinking one of these days I might go around replacing caps or something, Idk. Just know that you're not the only one suffering 

Its not a big deal for me. I still have my original TurboDuo from when it launched. This is a spare system I bought for $40, but I'd still like to fix it if I can.

[Turbo D]

Same here, I even paid around that.

[chaoticjelly]

Is the spindle properly seated and not dropped down? The bottom of the plastic spindle should be just above the top of the plastic pickup cover.

[Kitsunexus]

The same thing happened with my Dreamcast. Unfortunately the "buy a new one" suggestion that works so well with DC isn't as easy or cheap on the Duo.

Does the Duo have a power board like the DC? That's the main reason DC motors go out.

[chop5]

Sounds like bad laser symptoms. The spindle and sled motors are supposed to be very long lasting but they could wear out. But just in case you said you have another duo and a duo-r? Transplant the laser from one of those into it and see what happens. Also unhook the wires and put them back in tight,if there loose it causes a similar problem but more clickity noises.