SCD Model 1 - tray won't open

[Guntz]

So, that same SCD Model 1 I registered in the serial thread, has a tray problem. When I reset the Genesis, the tray doesn't open. I can hear it trying though. I took the top half of the shell and RF shielding off and tried putting Sonic CD in the tray, the system didn't know it was in there.

Where do I start?

[omp]

Belt? I recently swapped the belt out in my Mega CD model 1. I used a 22mm x 1.7mm square belt from memory. This was the drive with the JVC item.

Mine had a minor issue of a "hiccup" when the drawer opened and closed, replaced the belt and it was tops again.

[AlecRob]

What omp said. It's most likely the belt. My sega CD is a model 1 as well, even though I have never personally experienced this issue I have heard of it many times and to me it sounds like the belt is stretched out with age. Anyone know where to buy replacements? I think I'll pick up a spare belt just in case mine fails...

[omp]

Another trick you can try is, to use very fine sand paper (like 1500-2000grit) and just do a quick run on the inside of the belt. This roughs it up ever so slightly so that the spindles can grip it. Not sure how long it would last until it stops ejecting again. The belt I used is similar to original xbox size, so you could use one of those.

[Guntz]

I can't even disassemble the drive far enough to reach the belt. I've never owned or used a Model 1 SCD before, so assume I know nothing when posting help please....

[evilevoix]

I spent a couple weeks trying to fix mine. If you are lucky it is a simple misalignment between the gears so you need to align it. Next is the belt, after that its the gears that become stripped lifting the very heavy CD mechanism which over time strips the gears. Thats what happened to mine and I just sold it and went model 2.

[omp]

Oh well if you can't get to the belt, I think you have the sony drive. Is the belt hidden under a plastic cover at the front left? Another way to tell is it uses a black spindle to rotate and lift the CD mech up and down. To be honest I haven't mucked around with this drive. I do have a Sega CD with this drive but it is in a sorry state. I am lead to believe though (my drive is in 2 pieces and missing stuff) that this black spindle thing breaks a tab and moves out of alignment enough for the whole CD mech to fall and stay down, it requires repair to get going again.

The JVC drives in these, in my humble opinion is a much better setup.

Could you take pics of your drive, if it is the Sony one, I could have a gander at mine and see if the belt would be close.

[evildragon]

All my Sega CD's are Sony optics.

I know how to tear down the Sega CD model 1 with Sony optics. I'll make a teardown video tomorrow if you'd like, especially for the belt.

[Guntz]

Well, after a few hours of trying to understand how the disc drive works (the tray and laser pick up carriage/guide parts), I have finally figured out what is causing tray problem. And yes, going by omp's description, my SCD1 has a Sony drive.

Under the big black gear, is this weird twisty screw that the laser pick up guide fits into. When it spins, the pick up guide goes up or down. Both of those pieces of gear work run the tray and the pick up guide together. You all know what I'm talking about, right? Well, the twisty screw thing must be very worn out, because it has two major problems when I fit the pick up guide into it.

One, when I try to lower the pick up guide using the gear, the guide gets stuck in the middle of of the screw somehow. Usually, spinning the gear with a screwdriver overcomes this issue.

Two, the pick up guide's "knob" is very loose inside the twisty screw spacing. So loose in fact, if I lower the pick up guide, it can very easily get dislodged from it's proper place.

Other than those two issues, the tray at least works good. I've gotten this system to open/close several times, but it usually ends up stuck as usual. I've also verified that the open and close limit switches are getting pressed, though I'm not too sure on the close one. I'd have to check with a multimeter to see if it's being activated or not.

So, basically, I'd like to know what options I have for fixing the twisty screw, so that the pick up guide slides smoothly up the spacing. Has anyone here fixed this issue before?

Oh and one last thing, at one point I set the laser assembly in the fully up position. The laser sled would move to the disc spindle, but then there would be this very loud buzzing noise once the sled hit the end of the track. I haven't been able to get this system to try reading a disc since this odd occurrence, has anyone here had this problem before?

[evildragon]

So no disassembly video required?

[omp]

Yes please, for my part anyway. You never know one century, I may get around to it lol.

[evildragon]

The spindle is the only part I haven't messed with.

[Guntz]

A disassembly video would still be appreciated. I don't know how to take apart the tray part of the disc drive. I might need to if I am to fix the twisty screw... Somehow. Has nobody here had this problem before?

[evildragon]

Ok. Well I'll try and make one later tonight when my friend comes over, he can do the filming while I do the disassembly, and explain cleaning the parts.

[omp]

That would be great, mine is missing parts that hold the sled to the frame, I am just guessing it is screws and washers (at the pivot point) but I am unsure.