Pioneer DEH-P4500MP Car CD/MP3 Player Eject Roller Cleaning
These instructions were written by my brother (the
Cathode Corner guy). I read them and repeated the operation on
the unit, and took pictures. I cheated and used some Selectric
typewriter spring tools, since I have them.
This and other Pioneer car CD players develop a problem where the disc
will not eject properly. The problem in this case is that the
eject roller got dirty and did not have enough grip to eject the
disc. All it needed was a bit of roller cleaning, but getting to
the roller takes some effort. If you are not experienced working
on electronics or small mechanisms, then I recommend you take your unit
to a repair shop to have it cleaned (you might print this out to bring
with you, but be nice about it). However, if you're brave
like us, here is a sort of detailed how-to.
Tools needed:
#1 Phillips screwdriver, magnetized
3/32" slot screwdriver (jeweler's size)
#00 tweezers or small needle nose pliers
(or typewriter spring tool)
Remove the unit from the car. Unplug all the cables.
Pry off the top cover by sticking a slot screwdriver into each of the
four little slots in the sides next to the bumps that hold it on. The
rear lifts up, while the front is held in by tabs in slots.
Remove the four large #1 Phillips head screws, visible from the top,
that hold the CD mech into the case. The two on the left side are at
the top, while the two on the right are down low. The front right is
accessible through a 1/4" hole in the mech top plate. Use a
magnetized screwdriver to not drop the screws.
Remove the mech from the case and unplug the accordion folded flex
cable at the case end by pulling it straight out sideways. Don't
worry, it is reinforced to make it easy to plug back in.
Take the mech in hand and study the design. Note that it is made with
an inner frame that has all the good stuff, enclosed in a box
suspended by two springs at each corner and three rubber dampers on
the bottom.
This is a side shot of the mechanism, the front of the unit is to the right in the picture, rear is to the left.
Remove the two front top springs at the box corners and set them in a
safe place.
Unhook the two top rear springs. They are held captive by the lower
springs, so don't take them off any further, let them hang there for now.
Remove the four small #1 Phillips screws holding the top cover plate
to the box.
Remove the cover plate. It's held on by interlocking tabs, so pivot
it up to get it free.
You will see the two white pillars that the CD pushes against when
inserted; these block the path to the eject roller behind them. Above
the eject roller is a metal plate with a nylon plate stuck to
itsbottom; this must be removed to clean the roller.
Remove the two tiny springs, one at each end of the top metal plate. Be
careful not to lose them.
The top plate has an arrow stamped into each end. These point to
fingers below that hold it down into the lower plate. Each finger
must be released by pushing it to the left side with the slot
screwdriver. Do one at a time, and apply upward pressure to the top
plate to make it want to stay up.
A twisting motion on the screwdriver tip should pop them out.
The top plate will now hinge up and come off by sliding it to the right.
The roller is now visible (arrow). It may be cleaned with a paper towel
soaked in rubbing alcohol. You will need to roll it about 1/4 turn
after taking a swipe at it, and repeat until it's nice and clean all
the way around.
Put the top plate back on its hinge points. Press down and engage the
two fingers with the slot screwdriver.
Install the two tiny springs, hopefully on the sides they were each removed from.
Put on the cover plate by hooking the tabs and pivoting it down into
place. Some squeezing of the box may be needed to get it to sit in
the right place.
Install the four small #1 Phillips screws.
Rehook the two sprtings on the rear corners.
Reinstall the two springs on the front corners.
Hold the mech over the player and plug in the flex cable by pushing
it gently into the connector sideways. Make sure it's in all the way
so that no metal is exposed on the cable.
Place the mech into the player and install the four big #1 Phillips screws.
Hook the cover tabs into the front slots on the player and press it into place.
