BAH! Inserted CD cartridge in upside down

[thecoolnessrune]

I'm around a Pioneer PD-DM802 12 disc changer (Home theatre unit with two 6 disc cartridges that are the same that go in their mobile changers of the time).

Problem is, in my stupidity, I inserted one of the cartridges upside down with some of my favorite CDs. Now it won't eject the cartridge. I don't know how to get the darn thing out cause the guys didn't keep the manual and the one online cost $15 and I don't even know if what's in there would help me.

I googled lots of information on car units, but has anyone messed with this problem on home units?

 

[BassBomb]

Well if its like my car which struggles to eject discs now.. a swift smash will eject it..

I don't know if I would want to try taht on your system though.. good luck!

 

[thecoolnessrune]

For other people with this problem this is how I did it. It will only work on this model or other dual cartridge units (may work on single cartridge units but I'd doubt it).

1. Insert the second cartridge (correctly of course) with one CD inside.

2. Switch the system to play that CD on the second cartridge.

3. Hit the eject button on the stuck cartridge (this will ensure the locking mechanisms are disengaged).

4. Hit the power button to cut power.

5. Unplug power.

6. Using a fork, insert on the sides of the cartridge and you can slowly work the cartridge towards you enough to get a hold of and remove.

May be a sloppy method, but it worked for me (thank God). The thing is now back to playing my favorite CDs. Thanks Bassbomb for the suggestion, but in my case I didn't realise that the locking mechanism was already unlocking when I hit the eject button, it was just a matter of getting enough of the cartridge out to get my fingers on.

 

[Auric]

Ah, the good old fork. The toast fisher's friend.

Seriousry though, while I am not familiar with that unit exactly, I do have a Pioneer cartridge system in a car and if for some reason the eject button does not work (most likely due to some electronic error if not a stuck disc) then a credit card or such can be slid betwixt the cartridge and bezel to operate a release mechanism and it pops out.

I'm rather surprised that it even went in upside down, at least without noticing any resistance.

 

[BassBomb]

Originally posted by: Auric
Ah, the good old fork. The toast fisher's friend.

Seriousry though, while I am not familiar with that unit exactly, I do have a Pioneer cartridge system in a car and if for some reason the eject button does not work (most likely due to some electronic error if not a stuck disc) then a credit card or such can be slid betwixt the cartridge and bezel to operate a release mechanism and it pops out.

I'm rather surprised that it even went in upside down, at least without noticing any resistance.

I would hope engineers/designers are still designing foolsafes against us humans. We need something to protect ourselves from ourselves!

@OP my 2002 Civic stock Headunit cd player will shoot it out using the eject motor (you can hear it spin) but it won't move. It makes clicking noises like its trying to come out but is blocked. I usually hit my hand/fist right above the cd drive and it usually comes out. Freaked my mom out though

 

[thecoolnessrune]

No resistance at all. I thought it would be keyed as well but while upon close inspection the unit was slightly crooked, it also clicked right into place. This is a very old unit, so maybe humans were smarter back then?