FOCUS ERROR on MACINTOSH deck MY 06 GT

[memo17]

Hi Guys,
Just curious if any one else has come accross the same problem ???
Some times (depending on what mood its in!) the 6 stacker cd player doesnt read the CD's, just comes up with FOCUS ERROR massage and then ejects the disc automatically... Drives me nuts ! (Especially the Missus Then it might work after 10 minutes with the same cd on the same cd slot??? Any one got any idea...?
Also is there a replacement for the whole thing, i know its in dash & i have been reading briefly some older posts, but is there actually a place in Melb. where i can take and get some advice (& also not cost me an arm and a leg)
Any help would be appreciated...!
I am pretty New to this Forum stuff, so you guys will have to excuse me if ive asked or said something stupid. Ive only had the car for 8 months or so as well, so im trying to get into the whole thing

[Ric]

Some times (depending on what mood its in!) the 6 stacker cd player doesnt read the CD's, just comes up with FOCUS ERROR massage and then ejects the disc automatically... Drives me nuts ! (Especially the Missus Then it might work after 10 minutes with the same cd on the same cd slot??? Any one got any idea...?

Is the car parked outside?
This sounds a lot like condensation on the lens, which will dissipate as soon as the deck warms up a little.

Also is there a replacement for the whole thing, i know its in dash & i have been reading briefly some older posts, but is there actually a place in Melb. where i can take and get some advice (& also not cost me an arm and a leg)

Definitely not easy. The speaker wiring does not go to the head unit, only to the power amplifier under the passenger seat.
There is a custom cable carrying unbalanced signals from the head unit to the amp, which you will NOT be able to easily connect to any alternative head unit.

[memo17]

Gday RIC,
Mate its always in the garage and it does it even after ive had the stereo or different CD running for 20-25 minutes...
Thats what i mean, eg: i might play CD1 for 15 minutes, then change to CD 2 & thats when it might come up with ERROR message, not always, but still 4 out of 5 times i use it...
Ill keep my eyes and ears open any ways!!!

Cheers,
Matt.

[Ric]

I know Subaru have replaced a number of them under warranty. If yours is still under warranty, talk to them NOW.
Mine has never had that problem.

[teflon]

Agree. If possible get it fixed under warranty as the cost of replacement is obscene.
Mine did this - I got a lens cleaner from officeworks then it didn't do it again ... I upgraded the head unit after 3-4 weeks anyway so I don't know how much of a long term solution the lens cleaner is, but it's cheap and worth a try.

[dwayne]

I know Subaru have replaced a number of them under warranty. If yours is still under warranty, talk to them NOW.
Mine has never had that problem.

+1

It's not an unheard of problem, I had my Mac replaced in my MY05 for another reason - no focus error, but rather would randomly have no audio while playing CD's.

Dwayne

[memo17]

Thanks for the Feed back guys...
I will make sure i try the lens cleaner first and then take it from there... Much appreciated.
Cheers
Matt

[teflon]

Any update on this problem memo17?

[memo17]

Hey Teflon,
Thanks for asking... Just been so busty with work, havent had time to really do anything!
I tried the lens cleaner and wouldnt you know it, i bloddy spilt the liquid all over me...
So i gave up on that pretty quick... Ill try it soon again though.
In regards to the new head unit you put in, how did you go about it? Did you put in a new facia or anything?
Im bit unsure, as to which way to go, i know it will be big bucks to replace the whole thing!!!
Cheers, Matt...

[teflon]

I just used the CD lens cleaner from officeworks - nothing to spill with that one and it seemed to work for several weeks! Decided I wanted to replace the head unit so I can't give you any long term results from the lens cleaner trick.

Depends on how much you want to spend if you replace your head unit. I spent 1K on the double din unit itself. If you decide to go for a single din unit then you just put a little single din cubby in there with it and save some money that way. The fascia you have to get from japan to suit your model car - PhatGT used to be able to source them. Don't know what the cost of these are at the moment but the Australian dollar is doing a lot better now than compared to 6 months ago when I had problems with my head unit. I'd budget roughly $500 for the fascia? Others can correct me if I'm wrong.

Depends who you get to do the installation but those not familiar with the liberty won't be able to hook up the old amp in the McIntosh. They tried with mine, but couldn't quite get it to work - I wasn't too fussed ... I've spent a lot of money on home theatre gear at home so I'm not that fussy about the sound quality in the car (usually just use the ipod rather than CDs in the car anyway).

Do a search about it - lots of people have replaced their McIntosh. From memory - loweart and gumbyy have some useful threads on it amongst others. Most of these threads will have a link with where you can buy a fascia.

[memo17]

cheers mate,
greatly appreciated... ill see how i go!!!

matt.