My wife's Accord periodically rejects CD's after making strange clicking sounds. After several attemps it will start to play the CD (and possibly the next CD as well), but when she goes to put in the next CD, the same thing happens. If she skips a couple of songs, the CD sometimes begins to play.

Does this sound like a dirty laser problem that could be fixed with one of the over the counter cd player cleaners?

If I wanted to replace it, where could I get just the CD replacement while leaving the factory radio in place? How do you get the CD portion out?

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

I take it your wife's car has the tape deck, with optional cd player directly beneath it? Ebay is a good place to buy used radio units... All the players for 98-02 Accords are interchangable. Other year models may or may not fit, depending on screw locations, etc. I believe the connectors are the same though.

EX cd player:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...38641
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...38641

Add-on cd player (from '95 model):
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...38641

Both radio and add-on cd ('99 model):
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...38640

To remove, there's 2 screws on the bottom of the radio trim (or whatever the correct term is), and 1 behind the clock (pry out clock with small flathead). Pull off the trim (might need to give it a good tug). You should see screws off the to the sides of the radio and cd player... Those screws hold the radio in. Remove the screws, pull radio out and unplug connectors from rear. The add-on cd player may or may not be bolted to the radio. I'm not sure since I haven't seen that particular setup.