**Disclaimer regarding location of this thread (pls read before moving)** I posted this question in the electronics forum (https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-interior-audio-electronics-24/piece-crap-cd-player-57517/ ), but it's really a question about my options regarding warranty replacement of the OEM head unit and whether anyone has had a similar experience. It's my judgement that the question will better reach its target audience if it's here in the general discussion forum. Thanks.

My single-disk OEM CD player had been working fine for a year and a half, and today the eject/feed mechanism decided to malfunction! The CD that was in the player would not fully eject--it was if it was getting stock somehow. So I took some tweezers and managed to pull it out. Now CDs will not properly feed into the player. Actually, the feed mechanism only grabs the CD and pulls it about an inch before stopping. Applying force to the CD doesn't help at all. Has anyone else had such a problem or heard of someone who did? I did a search and could not find anything.

I have a feeling the entire head unit will need to be replaced, because I doubt the service techs will actually work on the internals of the CD player. What I want to know is if this would be a good opportunity to upgrade to the MP3 player. I know replacement of the single-disk player is covered under warranty, so do you think I could get the MP3 player installed by paying the difference in price between the units? If so, that would be nice. If they won't do it for me, I'd hope they'd at least cover the labor for installing the MP3 unit.

 

Because the dealer sends the audio unit away to a certified contractor for repairs, they are effectively out of the loop so far as negotions regarding swapping the CD for an MP3 player goes. If the CD is to be repaired under warranty, they will send it away, receive a new one, and then install it again. You will probably have to buy the MP3 player youself, they may buy the CD off you, and they may install the MP3 for you instead of the CD. Ask them, it is worth a try....

 

Ugh, so you're saying that I'll have to drive a rental while my car is in the shop awaiting a new head unit, or will they let me drive it around with a hole in the dash? It hardly seems worth it for Mazda to send out the unit for repair, considering that they'll be paying for my rental for a couple days, S&H on the unit, etc. It would make more sense if they just replaced it. We'll see what they say.

 

Well, I asked about the upgrade to MP3 player, and it's not an option. The dealer told me that I'd have to work it out with Mazda NA if this were to be an option, and Mazda NA told me that the warranty only covers replacement of the exact equipment... not even the labor could be applied toward installation of a different head unit. Oh well... now I'm going to have to drive around without any music for a few days. It really sucks because the weather is finally starting to get nice around here so I can't even cruise around listening to tunes.

 

ipod it dude

http://www.dension.com/main.php?pageid=50&topid=42