Ever had this problem? You turn on the CD player in your 2002-2005 Thunderbird to play or change a disc and you get the ‘CD error’ message? What now? Do you have any options other than taking your T-Bird to the dealer or a car stereo shop and getting an expensive repair bill? Or worse yet, what if you’re told you have to replace the entire unit?
I’ve had this problem many times with my 2002 Neiman-Marcus, and came up with this ‘quick fix’ quite by accident. My ‘fix’ is about as primitive as it gets, but it works!
Here’s a step-by-step guide:
1. Select a CD by pushing one of the numbered buttons
2. Once the CD is selected, immediately push another CD part way into the selected slot
and ‘jiggle’ it a bit (preferably one you don’t mind scratching or damaging, or a blank CD)
HOLD ONTO THE CD AS YOU INSERT IT AND THEN REMOVE IT
3. Repeat step # 2 as needed until the ‘loaded’ CD you’re trying to either play or eject does something (plays or ejects).
4. Press the ‘Eject All/Auto Eject’ button after the ‘tool’ CD is no longer partially inserted in the load slot.
Granted, this is a decidedly ‘low tech’ solution, but it has always worked for me. I realize this method sounds counter intuitive; why would you try to ‘jam’ a CD into a player that is already jammed? It just works. If not the first time, but the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th try (sometimes more). It’s quicker and cheaper than removing the entire CD/radio assembly and taking in for repair. Pushing a ‘dummy’ or ‘expendable’ CD in the player this way won’t damage the CDs already loaded, as the ‘dummy’ CD should only make contact with the TOP side of the other CDs, NOT the bottom surface, which contains the audio data.
A little patience and ‘tinkering’ with this method almost always fixes the problem, until of course, it occurs again. I’m not aware of any permanent damage that might be done using this method, but the entire unit would otherwise have to be removed anyway, so you really aren’t risking much.
I don’t know for sure what causes this CD player jam. Some ’02-’05 T-Bird owners have mentioned bad gears, excessive heat, etc. I experimented with using an alternate CD rather than a credit card because a CD covers more surface area than a credit card and for some reason helps clear the jam. You have to perform the above steps quickly and before the ‘CD Error’ message re-appears. This quick fix that has always worked for me, although it sometimes takes a few tries: A little practice and you’ll be a pro!
If this doesn’t fix the problem, or if you’re having other problems with your 2002-2005 Thunderbird’s Radio, CD Changer, we offer a comprehensive repair service for OEM stock stereo control units. Click here for details: https://www.thunderbirdspecialties.com/shop/02-05-thunderbird-amfmcd-changer-repair/
