Hi all,
Anybody ever been inside an HU-611 stereo? My CD player won't recognize discs anymore.
There are lots of units on ebay, some pretty cheap. But I understand that if I replace it, I'll need to go pay the man to get it registered on the car's network for full functionality. I'd rather avoid that...
If I get a replacement unit, then open the two units, can I easily transplant the CD transport and re-install the original unit?
Thanks in advance,
Walter

 

bump...
Anybody?

 

I had an 801 (4 disc changer) and took it apart to get my discs back after I replaced it with an aftermarket unit from Kenwood.

It wasn't that hard to take apart/put back together but I wanted the aftermarket benefits of being able to play cd's with mp3 files on them, usb input for memory stick, aux input, hd radio, etc....

I don't miss the steering wheel audio controls which so far (since Nov 2010) is the only part of the car that seems to care about the radio being changed

 

I used to repair radios back in college (Ford, Chrysler, GM and aftermarkets). More than likely, the motor that turns the CDs or the laser has failed. These are the most common failures in car radios. If you find a unit on line and pull it apart (carefully), you can probably replace the whole CD deck. I don't recommend trying to replace the laser or spindle motor if you are not familiar with how to do it. It is tricky. I have an S80 with an HU-611, but have never needed to take it apart.

 

Can you clarify it wont even play factory made CDs? Or ripped and burned CD's? If the later try a different brand and finalizing them I had that issue when I first purchased my car. now I just use my IPOD.

 

Well, in case anybody else faces this problem, the cd transport can be easily replaced. Mine just stopped recognizing CDs, but everything else worked.
I got a used head unit off ebay and swapped the CD transports. Sorry, I don't have a detailed how-to with pictures, but if you've got the skills to get the radio out you can certainly swap the transports inside the radio.
Once the HU is out, you remove the top cover of the housing and then the CD mechanism is a self contained box right on top of the other components; secured by a few screws and a single ribbon cable.
The only thing that was not obvious was the two screws toward the front of the CD transport; there are two holes on the top of the CD transport housing, allowing screwdriver access down to the two screws securing the front edge.
The rear screws are much more obvious.
Repairing it in this manner, rather than replacing the HU altogether, is a lot easier because you don't need to take it to the dealer to get the new radio to be recognized by the car's data systems!