CD player has quit on the 99 Riv.

Approx. ten seconds after inserting a CD it gives the Error message E 20 then ejects the CD.

I searched and found a list that basically said try a new CD, clean the CD then if the problem persists to have the unit serviced...

Any tips?

Thanks

Bert

Here is the best (high quality at relatively low price) repair shop I know of. They will repair your unit or swap for an overhauled unit from their stock. You probably want an overhauled unit.

http://www.unitedradio.com/docs/AF72-01d.pdf

YOu can browse them at

http://www.unitedradio.com/

Albertj

Just something to try before sending it out for exchange.....

Did you try removing power to the radio for a while and then restoring power to see if it clears the code.?
You can remove power by removing the fuse, BUT FIRST you must be sure the radios Anti-Theft feature is disabled.
You can tell if the Anti- Theft feature is on or off by the small red LED light located below and to the right of the volume control knob.
If the light flashes continuously with radio off then the feature is enabled. You need to disable it first. Look in your owners manual for the procedure.
If you don't disable this feature, and remove power to the radio, when you reinstall the fuse you will be locked out of the radio completely and render it useless. Then you will have to bring it to the Stealership and have a Tech ll hooked up to clear it.
If you see no light flashing at all on the face of the radio then the feature has already been disabled.
At this point remove fuse for a about an hour and plug it back in to see if your CD code has cleared. If it hasn't then ship it out per Albert's advise for overhaul exchange.

Ahem...

actually, you can disable and reenable Theftlock on our radios yourself.

The newer GM factory radios are programmed to each vehicle's VIN, will only lock up if you try installing them in a different car whereupon they see a VIN mismatch. The only way around that particular issue is with a GM TECH II tool or the GM service software.

Ours is an older Theftlock, and to re-enable the radio you need a telephone and these instructions:

http://www.articlesbase.com/automotive-articles/how-to-unlock-gm-theftlock-radios-842374.html

Or these:

http://batboard.batlabs.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=77426

I am embarrassed to admit I actually had to do this (the 800 number thing) once, I forgot to disable Theftlock before I disconnected the battery during maintenance on a Saturday evening before a road trip, and needed to listen to some 'continuing education' material while on the trip, for work. I think it is very kind of GM to permit this work around, and I am sure that it saves dealers a lot of hassle. It really helped me in a pinch.

The funny thing about Theftlock is... it works okay, but I wonder whether there was ever a street market for these radios?

I also think that I or someone else may have already posted such instructions on this editboard. Don't remember...

Albertj

I Paid the dealer for the Tech ll time. I thought the 800 number was only available to the dealers.
I remember it being used occasionally while i worked at a GM dealership.
I personally never had to use it so that's why I thought it was a dealer only thing. Or maybe i was confused about the early systems and the newer Anti-Theft systems that require the dealer mech to get a code via the 800 # and using the Tech II to unlock a radio.
Oh well, learn something new every day.
Only worked in the service dept for a about a year as Service Manager, my first stint at a GM dealership, before partnering with the owner on another business venture. That position, the Service Manager, was to keep me busy while we developed a solid business plan.

Bert,
A few years ago my wife drove a 96 riv that would occasionally display the e20 code from the cd player. It would happen more often after a rain. I seem to remember that it indicated there was moisture in the player or on the cd itself (she stored her cd's in the car). When this would happen, she'd take a cd from the house, insert it in the player and it would play. Just some food for thought.

Bert,
With all the humidity this time of year....have you ever had this issue pop up before that you can remember. If the lens in the CD player gets fogged up for any reason you'll get a code but it would go away once you've had the AC on for a while and dehumidified the interior.

Thanks for all the info guys.

I pulled the fuse for an hour and it still gives a E-20 error message.

I guess its "had the lick" and needs repaired.

Bert

Bought a replacement unit from Morads and had a local body shop owner install it, probelm solved.

Now if I could just figure out how to repair the heated seat element/wiring(driver side)...

Bert

Mine is fussy too.
If temps are cold, good luck getting even a new CD to play.
If it is a hot summer day I can play anything I want.
Most of the time, I have to re-insert the cd several times before it will play.

Cleaning it helped some.

I'm going to replace it at some point. Running over even the slightest crack in the road will often make it skip, which is far more annoying than E20.