EV Trans Am

GTO Information for “Error Mech” Display

I tried to eject a cd and the CD player made a bunch of groans like normal but refused to spit it out.  The screen displayed an error and “MECH” across the front.  The remaining portions of the radio worked fine but it wouldn’t play or even try to eject.  If I turned the radio off and then on and held eject, as if to eject all, it would try but after a second or two would stop.  It would only display the error the first time I tried to eject after turning the car on.

I searched a little and it seemed that the consensus is that the CD changer is toast.  If that so then there’s no harm in taking it apart, right?  Plus, the changer was full of Christmas music that we’d rather not lose.  (It’s March, so the changer hadn’t been used in a few months, probably just needs to action.)

I saw that you are supposed to use a special tool to remove the radio.  I’m not into buying specialty tools for a one time use so I decided to poke around.  There are 4 holes in the face of the radio, about 1/8″ diameter or so.  The special tool is like this: http://store.dejavujewelry.com/das-863528.html

I just took 4 6d nails and stuck one in each hole.  Once they are in, press them towards the outside and pull at the same time.  A flathead screwdriver with some tape over the ends will help.  The plugs are located in the bottom driver’s side so that corner is a little snug.  Place the tip of the screwdriver to the left of the preset button and twist it to apply pressure on the backside.  It helps to lower the hinged door below the radio.

Place the nails in the holes and press them in about an inch in. There will be a little resistance then it will go another 1/4

This shows how the tabs hold the radio in. The nail presses the tab toward the center of the radio and it releases from the mount.

Once the radio is out you actually don’t need any special tools to get into the CD changer.  A small flathead screwdriver can be used on the back of the top panel.  Twisting it will begin to pop the top up.  A little working and the top will lift up and pull back slightly to come out from under the front display.  Once the top is off it could be anything that isn’t working right.

In my case, the second cd was jammed.  It just happened to be my wife’s favorite, so I had to be extra careful, especially with her watching.  It looked like it came loose from the mount that spins the CDs so it couldn’t be fed into the eject mechanism.  The metal plate across the top of the cds is held in place by two springs, one on each side.  It can be lifted up enough to remove the top CD.  With that removed I was able to slide the second one out of the slot like normal.  If the 3rd, 4th, 5th or 6th were stuck, I’m not sure if this would be possible.  Once I cleared the top two, I reinstalled it in the car and after about a minute of groaning and startup it shut off.  I pressed and held eject and they all came out.  It loaded a CD fine so I assume it’s good.