FIXED :) Was the CD tray closed switch not making proper contact, which I assume engages the CD mech. Needed a new belt in the first place, and I then think my clumsy offering up of the cams in the tray mech after fitting the new belt might have put the switch out of kilter. Thanks to Martin for his great advice!

Thanks Nigel - that's really kind of you :) I'll try and have a look again tonight (or if not tomorrow, as I have the day off), then work out where to take it from there. Do you work in Nottingham as well as live there?

Thanks Martin I'm not with the unit now, but from memory the switch was activated. It's the one activated from the top of the big cam, pushing the metal 'spike' backwards, isn't it? When pressing play with a CD inserted, the CD doesn't spin, and is ejected, then the process repeats itself. BTW, Andy - I did wonder whether that

Thanks Martin I will do as you suggest when I have some time after work tomorrow. From memory I think that the lens didn't move up and down once the mech was re-mounted.

AGGGHH! >:( So today the new belt arrived for my CD50 from Martin, and after much fiddling I got the belt on and the tray mech greased and adjusted so that the tray and flap open/shut smoothly. Now the problem is that the CD player won't recognise whether there's a CD in the tray, regardless of whether there's one there or not. Prior

TripEnglish: Well played Camshaft... Is this a tacit acknowledgment that you were a little heavy-handed with your patronisation of Austin, Trip?

Dillen: Often it's enough to just clean off the dried remains of the old lubricants along with the dust and dirt it has collected and let it run dry. You can add a little silicon grease if you like. Martin Might try that - Martin, do you stock a replacement belt for the mechanism? Should really replace it whilst I'm in there :)

Dillen: Could be the belt slipping, could also be the mechanics in need of lubrication, finally one of the contacts in the tray mech could have a lose wire or oxidated contacts. Martin Thanks Martin & Puncher Got it open. Seems like one of the contacts at the back of the tray that should engage the CD mech isn't switching. I think it is because

Hope someone can help. Tried to load a CD in my CD50 tonight and it wouldn't play. Had it the right (wrong!) way up, but it sounds as if the CD tray motor won't shut off when the flap is closed. The tray keeps opening and closing, and is now not closing the flap without assistance. Is there a quick fix here (belts, grease, etc.) or does it need

Jacob Jensen didn't design the Pentas. It was lone and Gideon Lindinger-Loewy. They should do their research a bit better before ripping off some classic designs!