i just bought a 99 tl and it wont play cd-r. if anyone has any suggestions for me i would greatly appreciate it. i have already tried different burn speeds and a couple of different brands. is it the software im using??

 

just get a metra kit and swap the deck.

 

The problem is the stock head unit sucks. Don't bother trying different brands and all that, as benzo555 said just get the metra kit and a new HU.

 

Get a 2002 TL HU off ebay or something and have it swapped out, the 6 disc in-dash changer plays CDRs but do not like CDs with paper labels on them, they get stuck. I swapped mine out and it works great.

 

anyone have a link to the metra kit?

 

Wow you guys want to spend money......


Go and get high quality CD's and burn them slow - that will work. - I have a $600 headunit in my room not installed because I don't want to loose the steering wheel controls.... My really old burned CDs work fine - the ones I have burned in the last year and a half don't work at all (take a long time to catch), but the ones I have burned since I have bought my TL work in my stock headunit, almost perfectlly... but it is a hell of a lot easier to go and try some high quality CD's and burn them slow, then go and buy a headunit and a metra kit for some songs to work!!

I use the "MEMOREX BLACK CDR'S" but if you do a search, you will find there are a few brands used by guys here.

 

CD Changer...
as for the link to the metra kit, try my post in the Audio Forum..

 

I have tried it all, expensive high quality cd's, slow burning, older burner, older software, cheap cd's, disc at once, track at once, everything. It all worked the same, the single cd player just doesnt like burned cd's. I upgraded to the 6 disc in dash and it works fine. If you want to save money get your self the acura 6 disc trunk changer and that will read the cds.

 

ResidualFreedom,

I don't have money to burn, I picked up my 2002 TL HU off ebay for $200. I have tried all the CDs out there and few to none worked with my 2000 HU. The 2002 HU is a perfect fit in my 2000 TL and all the steering wheel funtions work too.

 

it didnt matter for mine what software i used what cd's i bought, what speed i burned at, they just stopped playing. the aftermarket headunit was the best choice i made (and with all the different brands of cd's i bought durring the last 3 years trying to get to work which none did it, it was the price of the aftermarket headunit i have now) and they make an adapter to be able to retain the steering wheel controls with a aftermarket headunit

 

I agree with the owners that say the media does not help.

It's the Head Unit. I got arond this by installing a changer in the
trunk. But be aware that you will need to remove the entire center
console in pieces to do it. See my recent post on the subject.

It's pretty bad when an el-cheapo Pioneer player can play CD-R's
flawlessly and the supposedly high-end Bose unit cannot.

/Steve

 

I had a terrible time getting CD-r's to play in my 99. Two things have worked perfectly:

1) I have a component CD recorder. It copies at 2X and requires Audio CD's, but they have always worked.

2) On my computer I have used MusicMatch Jukebox to burn CD's on Maxell Audio CD-r's with perfect results.

Any other CD-r's I have tried on my computer (non-audio) have had very mixed (usually not very good) results in my TL.

Besides MusicMatch Jukebox - which has given me the best results, I have used CD Creator with mixed results.

Any CD-r's of any type I have made have worked perfectly on my changer in the trunk (Acura changer).

 

P.S. I haven't stocked up in a while, but in the past I've found Sam's Club (online) to be a good source for Maxell Audio CD-r's

 

I have a 99 and have the same problem. What I found that worked for me was blue dye CDR...work everytime, anyother color dye won't play but BLUE WORKED!!!

 

tango - audio cds are supposed to be the exact same thing as cd-rs, just more expensive so some of your money goes to the RIAA - are you sure it makes it a difference in your burners?

 

Really??? I have found a couple of adapters for the Ford and Chev butI haven';t been able to find a adapter that will work on our cars.. I haven't really done too much research on the topic... I have a $600 headunit in a box in my room because I didn't want to loose the steering wheel controls and I figure someone would figure the steering wheel controls..

Do you need a special Headunit for the steering wheel controls to work???
I have a Kenwood Excellon (not sure of the modle # it's not inview, but it has a 180 degree reversable color changing faceplate).

Do you think that would work???? Can you give post the info on the steeing wheel control adapter model/brand/company ordered from?

thank'you soo much for this info.

I will have my headunit in the car tomorrow if this is able to work with my HU. Probably about 30-50 bucks for the adapter right??

Thanks again!

 

The only difference I can think of is that Audio CD's are meant for Component recorders that typically burn at much slower speeds than computer drives do.

A common complaint in the threads on this issue is that it is hard these days to find slower speed CD-R's. I think the Audio CD's may be the answer to that problem.

I have been using MusicMatch software and burning at 16X with no problems.

Also, I just checked and Sam's Club online has the Maxell's for sale for $12.82 for a spindle of 50. I remember when you used to pay a $1.00 RIAA premium per disc for Audio CD's. They now average about .26 per CD including the RIAA premium. Not too bad.

Good Luck

 

I put a HU from an 03' in my car and it worked great. I will be posting a HU from an 02' on this forum for the best offer plus shipping charges, of course the code will be providedwith the radio. Details and pictures to follow.

 

Just drop off my TL wednesday 5/5. Thursday, Service rep called and said they'll replace the HU with one that works with CDr.. i'll report back once i get my car back

'01 tl still under warranty.

 

i bet it will work. my kenwood dealer looked it up and found they have a device that hooks up to the tl and will work

 

FreeisGood, please keep us posted. I was wondering if the dealer would replace it since I have an extended warranty (they'll get paid either way). I swear that cd player is really pissing me off. I want to switch the unit out so bad but I'm not coughing up the money to do it.