It’s a scenario many parents know all too well: you slide a DVD into your car’s DVD player, hoping for a peaceful drive, only to be greeted by a horrible grinding noise. The culprit? Likely a coin, or perhaps a few, mischievously inserted by curious little hands into the slot-loading Car Dvd Player. Before you resign yourself to a damaged player or expensive repairs, know that there are methods you can try to safely extract those foreign objects. This guide will walk you through steps you can take to remove coins from your car DVD player, ranging from simple DIY tricks to when it’s best to seek professional help.
Identifying the Problem: Is it Really Coins in Your Car DVD Player?
First, confirm that coins are indeed the issue. The telltale signs usually include:
- Grinding or Whirring Noises: This is the most common indicator, as the DVD player mechanism struggles against the obstruction.
- Scratched DVDs: If your DVDs come out with circular scratch marks, coins are likely scraping against the disc surface.
- Error Messages: The DVD player might display error messages like “Disc Error,” “No Disc,” or fail to load altogether.
While coins are the usual suspects, small toys or other objects could also be lodged inside. Regardless of what’s in there, the goal is to remove it without causing further damage to your car DVD player.
DIY Methods to Remove Coins From Your Car DVD Player
Before considering more drastic measures like removing the entire unit, try these simpler techniques. Remember to always turn off your car and the DVD player before attempting any of these methods.
1. The Tweezers or Pliers Approach
This is the most straightforward first step.
- Tools: You’ll need a flashlight and a pair of thin tweezers or long-nosed pliers.
- Method: Shine the flashlight into the DVD slot to get a clear view. Carefully insert the tweezers or pliers, trying to grasp the coin or object. Dexterity is key here, so take your time and be gentle.
- Success Rate: This works best if the coin is lodged near the front of the slot and is easily visible and accessible.
2. The Sticky Tape Trick
If tweezers aren’t doing the job, a bit of adhesive might help.
- Tools: Double-sided tape and a thin, rigid but flexible object like a plastic ruler or a credit card.
- Method: Apply double-sided tape to the end of your chosen object, ensuring the sticky side is facing outwards. Carefully insert the taped end into the DVD slot, trying to reach the coin. Gently press the tape against the coin and slowly withdraw, hoping the coin sticks to the tape.
- Caution: Be extremely careful not to leave any tape residue inside the player, as this could cause more problems. Avoid using excessive force, which could push the coin further in or damage internal components.
3. The Hook Method
For coins lodged deeper, a hook might be more effective.
- Tools: A wire coat hanger or similar flexible wire.
- Method: Straighten out the coat hanger and bend a small hook at the end. Carefully insert the hook into the DVD slot and try to maneuver it around the coin to gently pull it out.
- Caution: Avoid using sharp or overly rigid wire that could scratch or damage the delicate mechanisms inside the car DVD player.
When to Remove the Car DVD Player
If the DIY methods fail, removing the car DVD player might be necessary. This approach is more involved but offers a higher chance of successful coin removal.
Disclaimer: Removing your car DVD player can be complex and might void warranties if not done correctly. If you are uncomfortable with this process, it’s always best to consult a professional car audio technician.
Steps to (Potentially) Remove Your Car DVD Player:
- Consult Your Car and DVD Player Manuals: Your car’s shop manual or the DVD player’s installation guide (if available) may provide specific instructions and diagrams for removal. Look for sections on “removal,” “installation,” or “troubleshooting.”
- Identify Removal Tools: Some car DVD players require specialized “DIN removal tools” or “keys.” These are often U-shaped metal pieces that slide into slots on the DVD player’s faceplate to release it from the dashboard. You can usually purchase these tools online or at car audio stores. Alternatively, bent coat hangers can sometimes work as a substitute, as mentioned in the original forum post.
- Disconnect Power: Before you start physically removing the unit, ensure your car is turned off and disconnect the negative terminal of your car battery. This is a crucial safety step to prevent electrical shorts or damage.
- Locate Release Mechanisms: Examine the faceplate of your car DVD player for small slots or holes. These are where the removal tools are inserted.
- Insert Removal Tools: Insert the DIN removal tools or your improvised tools into the slots. You should feel or hear a click as the release mechanisms engage.
- Gently Pull Out the Unit: Once released, carefully pull the car DVD player out of the dashboard. It may be connected by wiring harnesses in the back, so don’t yank it out forcefully.
- Disconnect Wiring Harnesses: Reach behind the unit and carefully disconnect the wiring harnesses. Note their positions or take pictures to ensure you can reconnect them correctly later.
- Shake and Disassemble (If Necessary): With the unit removed, gently shake it to see if you can dislodge the coins. If not, you might need to carefully open the DVD player casing. This often involves removing screws on the sides or back. Exercise extreme caution if you decide to disassemble the unit, as internal components are delicate.
- Remove Coins and Reassemble: Once you’ve accessed and removed the coins, carefully reassemble the DVD player (if you disassembled it).
- Reconnect Wiring and Test: Reconnect the wiring harnesses, slide the DVD player back into the dashboard until it clicks into place, and reconnect your car battery. Test the DVD player to ensure it’s working correctly.
Seeking Professional Help
If you’re uncomfortable with any of the DIY methods or removing the car DVD player yourself, don’t hesitate to seek professional help.
- Car Audio Installation Shops: Places like Fry’s (mentioned in the original post, though Fry’s Electronics is no longer operating) or other car audio shops have technicians experienced in removing and installing car stereos and DVD players. They can quickly and safely remove the unit and extract the coins.
- Car Dealership Service Centers: Your car dealership’s service center can also assist, especially if the DVD player was a factory-installed option.
Preventing Future Coin Mishaps
Once you’ve successfully removed the coins, take steps to prevent this from happening again:
- Childproofing: If children are the culprits, consider childproofing measures. This might involve educating them about not inserting objects into the DVD player or using physical barriers if possible (though this is often impractical for car DVD players).
- Regular Checks: Periodically inspect the DVD slot for any foreign objects, especially if you frequently have young passengers.
Dealing with coins in your car DVD player can be frustrating, but with patience and the right approach, you can often resolve the issue yourself or with minimal professional assistance. Remember to prioritize caution and avoid forcing anything, to protect your car’s entertainment system.
