I have a Pioneer DV-C503 5 dics carousel. Lately, when I open the door, the tray comes out most of the way and then closes again. I have to keep on opening it up to 10 time before it stays open. This used to happen once in a great while, now it seems to happen almost everytime.

How do I fix this?

Jeremy Stovin, May 2006

hi Menglin,
any idea where i can find the replacement for this "dog switch"? I have it broken when trying to open the spring.

DJ, May 2023

Pioneer DV-525 had the same problem. I sprayed some Radio Shack Electronics Cleaner on the blue limit switch and worked it back & forth and that fixed the tray problem. Now the tray stays out until directed to close!

T Coburn, October 2017

I hope this might help some people who want to keep this 5 disc machine. It was doing the same thing for me, tray would come out but go back in immediately. I found that tipping it up about 2 inches on the side or backward (with the front side up) will cause it to work perfectly again, if you are willing to have it propped up on one side.

Helper, December 2014

Using the above answers referring to the blue limit switch under the tray (exposed once the tray is fully extended) I was able to get mine working. I exercised the switch and used PB Blaster to lubricate it.

BSherman, July 2010

I know this is an old thread but I figured I would add what I did to solve the problem. I opened the cover, stopped the tray in the open position but pulling the plug. The blue paddle switch was taken out with one small screw, lifted up a little and I worked some liquid wrench in the switch assembly. Moved the switch a few times and cleaned up any residue. Put it back in and opened and closed the door a few times. All fixed.
Do not spray liquid wrench in the machine use a brush to work the liquid in.

Min, February 2009

Clean completely the blue switch flat cables. (the tray grease dirts it)
And enjoy the sound...

Edson, May 2008

Hey I have the same problem...well didn't know how to get to that blue switch but that switch is the limit switch. I got desperate and got a toothpick and activated it or toggled it to one extreme to the other several times. That did the trick. It now stays open when needed.

Cool!

Delos

Elmer Vea, January 2008

there is something call dog switch, it might be in blue color, in shape like a key that is under the tray and behind the tray.

Your issue can be solve by taking out the "dog switch" under the tray, and take out the blue piece, clean out the copper.

The corrosion from the copper cause it to not sending the signal of the tray has been extended out. Therefore, it will go back in. Just clean out the copper under the blue key shape switch, you issue can be resolve.

Menglin Tsai, March 2007

i got this from repairfaq.org:

8.6) Drawer does not close (or open) completely

This is a symptom that may not be obvious. The drawer may appear to close but a loose or oily belt can prevent the mechanism from completing the close cycle. This can result in erratic behavior since the disc clamping action is often controlled by the movement - sometimes not recognizing disc, sometimes just opening the drawer, or more subtle things like tracking problems, etc. Clean the belt and see if there is any improvement. Belt replacement will be necessary eventually. Check for gummed up lubrication as well.

If it goes through the motions of closing and then stops short without any further sounds, a gear may have jumped a tooth or broken some. The result is either that the mechanism is now incorrectly timed or not able to complete the operation. Examine the mechanism closely for broken parts. Cycle it manually by turning the appropriate motor pulley or gear to see if the drawer gets hung up or is much more difficult to move at some point.

If it continues to make a whirring sound after the drawer stops, there might be some other kind of mechanical damage resulting in an obstruction or really gummed up lubrication not allowing the operation to complete.

If you have small kids around, don't overlook the possibility that your CD player is being used as a storage cabinet! A favorite toy, rock, gummy bear, jelly bean, or other organic or inorganic object may have found its way into the CD compartment. Or, perhaps, someone, somehow, managed to lodge a disc inside despite the best efforts of the CD player's designers. (This might
happen if it was transported upside-down, for example).

dust b., October 2006