TurboDuo CD Problem

Tempest · Oct 28, 2014

I have a US TurboDuo that I just did a laser replacement on. The laser was no longer reading CD-R's so I figured it was starting to go. Well the laser appears to be working (it moves on its track and I see the lense move up and down) but the CD won't spin. It's like the spindle isn't getting power or something. There is absolutely no CD movement at all. The laser just moves to the ready position (right next to the spindle) and moves up and down a few times while the CD stays stationary. It then says "Please Set Disc".

The unit was just recapped and was working fine before the laser replacement so that can't be the problem. I also have the CD lid button held down so that's not it (it doesn't say that the lid is open). I tried swapping in the old laser again and the CD still didn't spin so I don't think the laser is the issue either. None of the wires inside look broken either.

I can't see how I could have broken anything, replacing the laser was a snap. Nothing hard about it and it went smoothly. I'm completely stumped on this.

ballzdeepx · Oct 28, 2014

I mean it is odd that it happened right after you swapped the laser, did you accidentally forget to connect a cable, or put it on wrong/backwards?

Tempest · Oct 28, 2014

The two cables are different sizes and keyed so you can't put them on backwards. That was my first thought as well.

ballzdeepx · Oct 28, 2014

Can you try wiggling the ribbon cables to see if it starts working, maybe something is bent or crimped etc, or somehow not seated on a pin correctly.

Tempest · Oct 28, 2014

Tried that too. No dice.

For what it's worth, the cables all look fine.

ballzdeepx · Oct 28, 2014

Unless the dust cover, and console top/lid isn't set correctly, I'm not sure what else it could be. The fact that it worked before this swap points to something being wrong on the re-assembly or something brittle being broken most likely.
Sorry man, I'm sure there are more skilled people here who can help advise.

Opethian · Oct 28, 2014

where did you get the laser? it wont spin if it doesn't detect a cd

Tempest · Oct 28, 2014

I got it from eBay. From a seller that everyone said they got theirs from.

So it won't spin if it can't detect a cd? Could the new laser need some sort if adjustment? Or could the lens be dirty? Are they really fragile? Could it have been damaged in shipping somehow?

I tried putting the old laser back in but it still didn't spin. I wonder what that means? To me that says there's another problem.

goombakid · Oct 28, 2014

Is there a potentiometer you could adjust?

RoadBuster · Oct 29, 2014

Was there a cover or something over the lens when you got it? When I got a new PS3 BD laser, I had to remove a tab from near the lens.

Tempest · Oct 29, 2014

No, I just looked. Good idea though.

Sypth · Oct 30, 2014

It's dumb but, did you try as simple as cleaning the lens off? Only other thing I can think of is that the laser assembly hasn't been inserted right, like it is at an angle to the disc, so it's trying to read the data at an angle.

Tempest · Oct 30, 2014

I can try cleaning it off when I get back (I'm on vacation for the next few days), but then why doesn't the old one work?

I thought about the angle thing too but there really isn't any way to do that with this system since it's on two metal rails.

RAZO · Oct 30, 2014

Look for the potentiometer and try adjusting it. Either move it a tiny bit to the left or right. If the laser doesn't detect a cd on start up the drive won't spin. The new laser could be faulty as well. I hear from a guy who repairs old school consoles that he gets defective lasers from ebay all the time. He has to play the return replace game a few times before he gets a good one.

Tempest · Oct 30, 2014

I don't see a pot to adjust. The laser could be bad I suppose, but then why wouldn't the old one work? I'm wondering if it isn't a wiring issue.

RAZO · Oct 30, 2014

Maybe this video could help. I can't see exactly where the pot is but he's adjusting it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgxVbtoXziI

goombakid · Oct 30, 2014

http://www.pcenginefx.com/forums/index.php?topic=8926.0

Tempest · Oct 30, 2014

Bah, it says I have to register to see. I'll have to do that later. What was the topic about?

goombakid · Oct 31, 2014

Tempest said:
Bah, it says I have to register to see. I'll have to do that later. What was the topic about?

Goes over replacement and adjustment.

Voultar · Nov 1, 2014

Is there an ESD solder blob that you need to remove on the assembly?

Tempest · Nov 1, 2014

Nope it's a pop in replacement. All you have to do is unplug two cables and slide it off the rails. Really simple.

Tempest · Nov 4, 2014

I just got back from being out of town so I can test a few more things.

I did a basic continuity test on the two ribbon cables and they came back fine. However the white connector has a yellow cable in the middle of it that I can't figure out where it goes. It appears to go into a wrapped bundle of wires from the ribbon cable and disappears. I'm sure the cable is fine and I really don't want to start unwrapping wire bundles, but it's odd. Anyone know where it goes?

The lens looked fine, but it cleaned it off anyway. No dice. If I don't have a CD in there I can see it move up and down like it's trying to focus (and hear it). I'm guessing that's a good sign that the assembly itself it ok?

I'm out of ideas to try. Can I bribe anyone here to take a look at it for me?

Tempest · Nov 6, 2014

I tried adjusting the pot that's responsible for the spindle rotation but that didn't do anything (not surprising). At this point I'm wondering if I broke a wire somewhere that I can't detect.

wyndcrosser · Nov 8, 2014

As Voultar said, is there a blob to lock the laser in place? Almost all lasers whether xbox360, or PC Engine/PSX have these blobs? I had to remove them on my Duo-R laser, Sega Saturn and 360 when I did replacements.

ApolloBoy · Nov 9, 2014

wyndcrosser said:
I had to remove them on my Duo-R laser

The Duo-R uses the exact same laser as the original Duo so this might very well be the case.

TurboDuo CD Problem

Ninja Combat Warrior

Rugal's Secretary

Ninja Combat Warrior

Rugal's Secretary

Ninja Combat Warrior

Rugal's Secretary

Basara's Blade Keeper

Ninja Combat Warrior

Fu'un-Ken Master

Crossed Swords Squire

Ninja Combat Warrior

Mr. Big's Thug

Ninja Combat Warrior

Mayor of Southtown

Ninja Combat Warrior

Mayor of Southtown

Fu'un-Ken Master

Ninja Combat Warrior

Fu'un-Ken Master

I give zero fucks about my customers

Ninja Combat Warrior

Ninja Combat Warrior

Ninja Combat Warrior

Baseball Star Hitter

Edo Express Delivery Guy