So I just got an 02 van from a member here (thanks AZA12BEE!)
Happy with it, just trying to fix a few little things.
The AM/FM/cassette/CD player goes into error when a CD is inserted.
IS this a DIY fix? I was thinking of blowing out the CD area with some of the computer air-in-a-can (NOT from the shop compressor). Any other tips or tricks before I bite the bullet and yank it out?
Those old CD cleaner discs always seemed like snake oil, since they don't even touch the optics.

I'll be buying a complete set of manuals shortly, but I'm pretty sure they don't cover servicing radios. It's pretty much R&I.

Are they home burned CD's? Mine also has problems with homemade ones. I think it may something to do with formatting of the CD's.

I had done this some success. Keep hitting the search, but go backwards, i.e ch1, then the last one, and keep going backwards. Sometimes it works.

If the simple things like cleaning don't fix it its R&I like you said. The CD went out on my Daughter's '01 Cherokee. Repair wasn't economical/practical and a new OE radio was crazy expensive. Took it to best buy and got a Sony installed for a bit over $200. They have the adapters for the face plate and wiring so installation was a 20 min deal. Looks fine and works well.

You can find factory used ones on Ebay for $40-$75.

Factory (record Co.) CDs. I tried 3 different ones.
Sitting there, you insert the disc and the noise of it pulling it in doesn't change and lasts longer than needed. Then it comes up with ERR.
I'll try blowing it out, but it sounds like the drive portion doesn't engage the disc.
Thanks for the info, guys. Pretty much what I figured. At least this one isn't like my 94 truck. That's got an Infiniti which requires bigger changes if going aftermarket.

It sounds like your 8 track belt broke. My

The one in my '03 PT Cruiser did that too. Took it back to the dealer and they replaced it under warranty. I figured it had to be something kinda fatal if they did that.

You can buy used ones at the pick and pull for $40 here. Only trouble is its a crap shoot, you can't test or return the unit , one heck of a business model. I bought the CD player from a wrecked Exploder (that appeared elderly owned), and got lucky, works great in my fleet truck.

I worked on another Ferd radio of the same mid-2000's vintage, CD would get stuck inside and give the ERR message. Pulled the unit out and pulled the case cover, you could see bright metal to metal wear marks on the eject mechanism. I lubed all the wear marks lightly with white grease and the unit then worked properly.

Thanks, I'll probably pull it out and take a look.
The local U Pull It yard doesn't have a stock radio any newer than 1977 in there. Someone goes and pulls every darn one of them, and the turnover rate is high in the yard. No local stores, and they aren't listed on CL. Must be some guy grabbing them for internet sales.

Still haven't tried the air yet. This is 9 years old, so the warranty isn't happening. I'd rather get the OE one working, but will change if needed later. There isn't a single 1999-2003 B2500 radio on Ebay!

Originally posted by RobG of Addison MI on Moparts in March of 2010:

quote

Call T.E. Hunt Auto Radio.
They are located on Scheoner Rd in Warren, Mi.
They are a repair facility for Chrysler and will have all the correct parts to do a quality job.
end quote

If it sounds like the CD is trying to load too long, try cleaning the rubber roller that grabs the Cd with alcohol. The rubber roller gets dry and dirty over the years and it won't pull or push the CD in and out all the way anymore.