How to: adjusting laser lens on Volvo RTI navi systems.

[Branco80]

It's already understood that those systems are very fragile and sensitive to humidity, weather changes, summer heat an so on.
It doesn't matter if your system is a CD-based one, or a DVD-based one: issues will come easily.
The following tutorial is for every system: only trimmer values will change.

WHAT YOU NEED:
-1 Torx screwdriver;
-1 small cross screwdriver;
-1 digital tester;
-1 tube wrench measure 12;
-1 tube wrench measure 10;
-1 clean cloth;
-Alcohol;
-Water.
-1 ear cotton;
-20 minutes of spare time.

Laser lenses have usually troubles in reading burned discs, as they've often thinner tracks, than the original ones.
Laser beam has a standard frequnecy, but it's used both for smashing stones and for eye-surgery...
Where's the difference, so?
In the trimmer, to adjust beam's power.

The following example is for a V70 MKII with CD-unit, but it fits every Volvo model.

Leave out the luggage cover and remove the left panel (navi cover) by using the tube wrench #10.
Unplug connectors on the RTI unit and remove it by unscrewing the 3 bolts #12.
Now you have the unit in your hands and you have to unscrew the 3 Torxs in order to dismount the stirrup on it.
Now you have to use your small cross screwdriver, to remove the 10 external screws on your unit.
Once opened you'll have to find the laser lens.
I suggest you taking pictures before dismounting things, as it is very easy not to remember how to mount them back!!!
Close to the lens you'll notice a very small cross screw, that you neither imagine it is a screw!
Well...
Now take your digital tester and set it as 200 kOhm range.
Plug the 2 tips (1 red and 1 black), one leftside to the screw and one rightside.
Then check the value given by your tester.
IF YOU HAVE A CD-UNIT, adjust the screw until you reach a value NOT LOWER THAN 600 (usually 660 is good).
FOR A DVD-UNIT the value SHOULDN'T BE ADJUSTED LOWER THAN 200 (usually 350 is good).

IF YOU PASS THOSE LIMITS, THE LENS WILL BREAK!!!

Now you can smoothly and delicately clean the lens, with the ear cotton soaked with alcohol.
Use now the other side of the cotton and soak it in water: do the same thing as before.
Remember to be delicate and to make circular movements.
Before mounting the unit back, please check the lens to be dry, otherwise use another dry ear cotton.

Now mount the unit back and check if it works.
If not, do the same procedure and adjust again trimmer values (ALWAYS WITHIN SUGGESTED RANGES!!!)

90% of times it will work.
If not, consider the opportunity of changing laser lens for an usual price of € 60,00 more or less.

Trimmer.JPG

[bmwjavier]

THANK YOU VERY MUCH Branco80!!

[krypt0]

If not, consider the opportunity of changing laser lens for an usual price of € 60,00 more or less.

I'm curious, where did you get this price from? I wasn't even aware they sold those dvd-lasers separately/as a spare part.

[stelo]

FYI

Gerner Electronics, Laser pickups, Flexboards, Beamerlampen, Messger�te

[Branco80]

FYI

Gerner Electronics, Laser pickups, Flexboards, Beamerlampen, Messger�te

Right!
It was just the site I was referring to.

[Volvo4u]

Thanks for the information.

Do you know if it's possible to adjust the height of the laser. I have replaced the laser unit and this made the dvd player working again, but... only reading original DVD's.
It doesn't read a backup dvd. I know the backup dvd is ok, because it works on another dvd player.
The only thing I can imagine is that the height isn't correct.

Do you have any idea or know how to adjust the height.

Thanks!!!

[Branco80]

I don't think it would be worth adjusting height.
First of all I neither know if it's possible.
Second thing: have you tried and check values on trimmer?

[Branco80]

Anyone tried and fix troubles?

[DMaster4000]

Thanks for the tip, I replaced my faulty laser pick-up on my DVD MMM unit, several years ago.. The new pick-up worked fine for a while, but then it stopped reading "Backup" DVDs, but read original DVDs fine..

Having read your post, I checked the trim, and it was set to 600, have since turned the trim down to 353, and it pick's up "Backup" DVDs perfectly now..

Thanks

[Branco80]

Good to know!
Could you also share with us the price for you new lens?